If you don’t have equipment lying around for this experiment, wait until you complete Unit 10 (Electricity) and then come back to complete this experiment. It’s definitely worth it!
Electroplating was first figured out by Michael Faraday. The copper dissolves and shoots over to the key and gets stuck as a thin layer onto the metal key. During this process, hydrogen bubbles up and is released as a gas. People use this technique to add material to undersized parts, for place a protective layer of material on objects, to add aesthetic qualities to an object.
Materials:
- one shiny metal key
- 2 alligator clips
- 9V battery clip
- copper sulfate (MSDS)
- one copper strip or shiny copper penny
- one empty pickle jar
- 9V battery