Metal finishing Q&As since 1989
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Electroplating kit for kids
Dear finishing.com,
I am a grade 10 student, have been given a chemistry project regarding electroplating -
"You have been employed by a company that manufactures and markets educational toy kits. Your first task is to develop a kit that allows people to coat their personal items with a layer of metal using electroplating techniques. As it is an educational toy, your kit aims to teach children of about 9-12 years about electroplating, conducting experiments to aid in their understanding. It should allow the children to conduct 4 experiments on their own, using the materials supplied in the kit. "
The materials that have already been provided to us are Copper(II)Sulphate, but we are allowed to ask for any other chemicals that we may require. I can only think of one experiment- copper plating on a coin that is not made of copper. But what about the other 3? Any suggestions?
Thank you very much. This is a great website. I read the entire electrochemistry section ["How Electroplating Works"] from top to bottom, and it was very informative. Great work! :)
Sneha R [last name deleted for privacy by Editor]Student - Singapore
2005
"Naked Eggs and Flying Potatoes: Unforgettable Experiments that Make Science Fun"
by Steve Spangler
on
AbeBooks
or
eBay
or
Amazon
(affil links)
"Earth Science for Every Kid: 101 Easy Experiments That Really Work"
by Janice VanCleave
on
AbeBooks
or
eBay
or
Amazon
(affil links)
"Kids Guide to Research"
on
AbeBooks
or
Amazon
(affil links)
If this is a school project, shouldn't you be sourcing for more information yourself instead of relying on others for solutions? Why don't you try changing some of the variables yourself?
GL Ang- Singapore
2005
Its good try it!
Suru K [last name deleted for privacy by Editor]- Miami, Florida
January 20, 2010
Hi, Sneha. copper sulphate [on eBay or Amazon]will allow immersion deposits on more active metals like zinc and steel, and will allow electroplating onto more noble or equally noble metals like nickel and silver. You could add zinc acetate or zinc sulphate [on eBay or Amazon] for electroplating onto copper or steel. Good luck.
Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
January 20, 2010
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