44051

Copper nickel plating  

+++++++

You specify that electricity is required to plate with copper, nickel, and a vinegar solution. Could you please explain why I have observed what appears to be plating in the following experiment.

One pre 1982 penny and a nickle are placed into a small china cup and covered in about 1/4 cup of vingar 5%. This cup is left on the counter for up to 2 weeks. At the end of 2 weeks the penny appears to have a silver spot on it and the nickle appears to have a copper spot on it. This is all done without electricity. Why does this appear to work?

Angela S
student - Lincoln Park, MI, USA

Good observation! Please remember to set the parking brake if you park your car at the top of a hill, Angela, even if the manual says it will run only on premium gas.

Cars need gas to run properly and that plating solution needs electricity to electroplate properly, but just as gravity can make a car roll, galvanic action without external electricity applied can cause copper to dissolve from a penny (exposing the zinc core) and deposit upon a nickel given enough time.

Ted Mooney, P.E.  finishing.com Brick, New Jersey