Grade 5 Science Experiment 1 - "Copper Plating without the use of Electroplating Process"
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Purpose:
The purpose of this science fair project is to copper plate a nail by placing the nail in a chemical solution. Often times, items are copper plated or plated by some other type of metal using electroplating. Electroplating involves placing an item in a chemical solution and connecting it to a charge such as a battery. The electrical current causes a thin film of the metal to cover the object. In this science fair project we will create the same plating effect, but without the use of an electrical current. We will copperplate a nail.
Note: You will need adult supervision for this science fair project.
Hypothesis:
A higher active metal, copper, will lose electrons to a lower active metal, iron, resulting in the copper plating of an iron nail.
Variables:
Time pennies, iron nail, and white vinegar - salt solution is left to sit during the copper plating process
Materials Needed:
- Twenty pennies
- Iron nail
- Steel wool
- Ammonia
- White Vinegar
- Salt
- Teaspoon
- Measuring cup
- Glass jar
- Paper Towels
- Plate
- Wooden spoon
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