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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 [surname deleted for privacy by Editor]
Student - Singapore
2005

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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 [surname deleted for privacy by Editor]
- Miami, Florida
January 20, 2010

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Hi, Sneha. copper sulphate ⇦ on eBay or Amazon [affil link] 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 [affil link] for electroplating onto copper or steel. Good luck.

Regards,

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
Ted is available for instant help
or longer-term assistance.
January 20, 2010

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