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Change an Iron Nail to Copper Or Fun with Electroplating

Learning Objectives: Principles of Electroplating Demonstration of Faradays Law Use of Periodic Table Discussion of electrons, moles and atoms In this experiment, we will electroplate an iron nail with copper and compare results against theory. Each team will determine the actual weight of copper plated on their nail and calculate the number of moles of copper plated. They will then compare that to the theoretical amount of copper that should have plated using Faradays Law. Background: The purpose of this experiment is to demonstrate some principles of chemistry through the use of electroplating copper (Cu) from solution. Electroplating can be used to deposit a layer of metal such as chromium, copper, gold, nickel, or zinc on another metal. This deposit can provide a protective and decorative coating for the metal which lies beneath it. Principles: The experiment performed is described by the following half-cell equation. The cathode half cell will be the process in which soluble copper ion will be deposited as the solid copper metal. cathode: Cu2+(aq) + 2 eCu(s)

Chemical Equation: Fe(s) + CuSO4(aq) FeSO4(aq) + Cu(s)

2009 Students 2 Science, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Students to Science, Inc.

In the experiment, we will apply an electrical current through the use of the battery or power supply. This flow of electrons (e-) can be measured as a current. Using the principle known as Faradays Law, the amount of copper deposited on the nail can be directly related to the amount of current and electrons that flow through the solution.

Faradays Law The amount of copper in this experiment will be expressed in terms of moles of copper. A mole of an element is defined as the atomic weight of an element which corresponds to 6.022 x 1023 atoms. Using Faradays Law, a mole () of copper will be produced based upon the following equation: Faradays Law is: q = I t where: q = 192, 970 coulombs / of copper I = amperes t = time (sec)

Materials: Periodic Table Calculator

2009 Students 2 Science, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Students to Science, Inc.

Analytical balance can weigh to 0.1 mg Glass beaker Iron nail Constant amperage supply (e.g variac) or 1.5V Battery 2 wires (use as electrodes) Kimwipes Lab timer Amp meter Laptop PC with Copper Plating Efficiency Excel spreadsheet Copper sulfate solution (0.5 M copper(II) sulfate in 0.1M sulfuric acid) Small pieces of sandpaper (100 grit)
Safety Note: The solution of copper sulfate contains some sulfuric acid.

Please use extreme caution when working with the solution and beaker

Team Members:

___________________________

___________________________

2009 Students 2 Science, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Students to Science, Inc.

Experiments: Section 1. Copper Plating (Worksheet)

Predict what would happen if you placed an iron nail in a copper sulfate solution. Then, put an iron nail in a copper sulfate solution. Describe your observations and make a conclusion based on your observations. Compare your prediction and original conclusion with what actually happened. Write the formula for the reaction that you described. Predict what will occur if you place an iron nail into the copper sulfate solution _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________

2009 Students 2 Science, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Students to Science, Inc.

Each lab team will be required to build an electroplating bath using a constant power supply, nail and wires. The plating electrodes will be submersed into a solution containing copper sulfate which will plate out an amount of copper metal over a period of time. Each team will be able to calculate the amount of copper that was plated out using the difference of weight of the nail using an analytical balance. Use the sandpaper supplied and sand the iron nail to remove any surface oil and dirt. Surface should appear clean and shiny. Wipe the surface with a Kimwipe.
Procedure: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. Weigh the nail using an analytical balance. Record the weight to 4 decimal places (e.g. 7.3500 g) on the Worksheet provided (Value 1) Place approximately 50 mL of copper sulfate solution into the glass beaker. Connect the nail to the wire clip provided Connect this wire to the negative terminal of the power supply Connect the other wire to the positive (+) terminal using the wire clip provided Place the electrodes into the beaker. Make sure that the two wires do not touch. Time the plating experiment with the lab timer for approximately 10 minutes At the end of approximately10 minutes, stop the timer, and record the reading (Value 2) Record the amperes of current applied to the electrodes. Your instructor will either provide this value or you will have the opportunity to measure the value with an amp meter. (Value 3) Remove the nail from the beaker, rinse the nail with water and pat dry with a Kimwipe. Make sure the nail is completely dry. Reweigh the nail using the analytical balance. Record the weight to 4 decimal places. (Value 4) Complete the calculation in the worksheet for Values 5, 6 and 7

10. 11. 12.

Each lab team will calculate the efficiency of their copper plating experiment using the Copper Plating Efficiency Excel Spreadsheet. This means you will determine how close your experimental value is to the theoretical value for electroplating copper on an iron nail under the actual conditions of your experiment. Using the worksheet values, enter the Values 1 through 4 and Value 7 into the spreadsheet where indicated.

2009 Students 2 Science, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Students to Science, Inc.

The Spreadsheet will use Faradays Law to calculate the Theoretical Number of Moles that should have been produced based on the time and amperage supplied during your experiment. Your calculated number of moles will determine the % Efficiency of your experiment.

Record the % Effeciency ________________________________

How well did your team do? Discuss why you experiment was successful or why you may not have been effective in the plating experiment _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________

Compare your observation with your initial prediction. _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Write the formula for the reaction that you described above _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________

Copper Plating Efficiency (Worksheet)

Record observations below. Transfer values into the Copper Plating Efficiency Excel Spreadsheet

2009 Students 2 Science, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Students to Science, Inc.

Value
(1) Weight of nail (g): ________________________ (g)

(2) (3) (4)

Timer reading for copper plating : _______ min and _______ sec

Current Reading ________________________ (amps)

Weight of nail after copper plating: _________________________ (g)

1. Using the following equation, determine the weight of copper plated onto your nail.

Weight of copper plated (g) = weight of nail after copper plating weight of nail

Weight of copper plated (g): ________________ g (5)

2. Using a periodic table, record the atomic weight of copper ___________(g)(6) 3. Using the following equation, calculate the number of moles () of copper plated onto your nail. Record the weight to 4 decimal places (e.g. 7.5234g)

Number of moles () plated =

Weight of copper plated on nail (5) Atomic weight of copper (6)

Number of moles () of copper plated : ________________ (moles) (7)

2009 Students 2 Science, Inc. All Rights Reserved.