A common classroom chemistry experiment, changing a penny from copper to silver to gold demonstrates how elements can be manipulated and combined to produce something else. The heat used to change the penny to gold causes the zinc atoms coating the penny to move in between the copper atoms and create brass, which appears gold. Using pennies that were produced before 1982 ensures that they will contain enough copper for the experiment; pennies produced after 1982 are mostly zinc.
- 25 ml sodium hydroxide (NaOH)
- 25 grams powdered zinc, 20 mesh
- Evaporating dish
- Hot plate
- Pennies, pre-1982
- Tongs
- Beaker or bowl
- Bunsen burner
Remove the penny from the Bunsen burner flame once it has turned gold or the penny will begin to turn back to copper.
Do not dry zinc-covered pennies with a paper towel; the zinc on the towel may ignite and start a fire. Avoid breathing in any fumes from the sodium hydroxide and zinc mixture. Use caution with the flame of the Bunsen burner. Make sure the pennies have cooled each time before handling them to avoid burns.
Clean the pennies thoroughly. Heat a mixture of sodium hydroxide and powdered zinc in an evaporating dish over a hot plate until it is nearly boiling.
Keep the mixture near boiling, and place the pennies in the sodium hydroxide and zinc mixture until they turn entirely silver, about three to five minutes.
Remove the pennies using tongs and wash them under running water, removing any pieces of zinc that are stuck to the pennies.
Fill a beaker or bowl with water. Light a Bunsen burner and place a silver penny in your tongs. Heat the penny in the flame of the Bunsen burner, rotating evenly, for three to four seconds, or until the penny turns gold. Place the penny in the water until cool. Remove the penny from the water and dry with a towel. Heat the remaining pennies, one at a time, in the same manner, cooling them in the container of water.
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About the Author
Cindy Crabtree's writing and editing career began in 2007. A former editor-in-chief of several magazines, she has contributed to "Boise Metropolitan Magazine," "Eagle Life Magazine" and "Meridian Magazine." Crabtree studied psychology at Boise State University and multimedia/Web design at the Art Institute of Phoenix.
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