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 44051
Copper nickel plating
[Michigan]
February 10, 2007
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
February 15, 2007
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 Inc. - Brick,
NJ
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