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Teacher wants experiment on copper temp. vs. oxidation

I have a student that would like to perform an experiment connecting temperature with the oxidation of copper. Do you have any suggestions?

Carrie Sanidas
middle school science teacher - Portage, Indiana, USA
2003

This is a tough one for a middle school. Oxide is a combination ot time , temperature, atmosphere and cleanliness of the samples. It will take a balance with at least 0.0001g capability. Many chemical reactions proceed at a rate that doubles for every 20 degrees F. Since the reaction is very slow, it will take a fairly high temp to see a reaction in a day or two. The film that is formed is also a barrier to getting additional oxygen to the copper, so it virtually stops after a visible layer is formed. Your biggest problem will be starting with uniformly clean samples and then keeping them clean.

James Watts
- Navarre, Florida
2003

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