Name: John Benedict B.

Azarcon Locker Number:

3D
Experiment No. and Title: Experiment No. 5(Copper into Gold) Date: October
3,2018

Data and Results

Data
Table 1. Raw Data for
Mass of Zinc Dust 3.00g
Transformation of Copper
Volume of 6M Sodium Hydroxide 25.0mL
Mass of Copper Wire 0.460g into “Gold”
Mass of Zinc-cover Copper(“Silver”) 0.470g
Mass of “Gold” Copper Coil 0.470g

Table 2. Densities of Certain Metals(1)

Metal/Alloy Density(g/mL)
Copper 8.92
Zinc 7.14
Gold 19.3

Answers to Questions
1) In definition, plating is a process of coating on the surface of a metal.(2) It bring various
benefits to the metal coated by giving it more resistance, corrosion or a desirable color. In the
experiment, an electrodeposition occurred where thin layer of metal electrodeposited on
another material.(3) Plating, sometimes known as electroplating or electrodeposition, was
observed in the experiment, such as when the zinc plated the copper while it was submerged
in the Sodium Zincate mixture, giving it a silver look.
2) The reason why the copper wire turned to silver when it was submerged in the Sodium
Zincate mixture is because the zinc plated on the surface of the copper wire, giving it a silver-
like appearance due to an electrochemical action that took place. When the zinc oxidized by
losing its two electrons, the Zinc ions then bonded with hydroxide ions(OH -) in order to form
Zincate ions(Zn(OH)4)2-(aq).(1) When copper was in contact in the solution, it releases 2
electrons to convert Zincate to Zinc metal again, thus giving it a silver look. In short, when
the copper wire was added to the solution, the zinc ions migrated to the copper, changing its
color. However, this silver coating is not permanent and may wear off through time. It may
rub off if the frictional force applied is great.
3) The silver-colored loop turn to gold after it was heated because the zinc present in the alloy
migrated through the copper. The zinc atoms and the copper atoms inside were in a heat

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 excitement while it was heated. This makes the outer layer of zinc mix with the copper below,
which becomes an alloy called yellow brass. Since the color gold that coats the copper wire is
so thin, the color will not be permanent.(4) It is possible that it will wear off over time.
Moreover, the molecules of the base metals may slowly transfer into the thin layer of gold
over a certain period of time, causing the yellow brass to wear off faster.(4). In addition,
yellow brass copper may be rubbed off especially if the frictional force applied is great.
4) No, the copper wire did not change into gold. As seen in Table 2, the density of the copper
is 8.92 g/mL while the density of the gold is almost its double, which is 19.3g/mL. As seen in
Table 1 above, the mass of the cooper till it changed to “gold” remains almost the same
throughout the experiment. This is because the copper was only plated causing it to look like
gold. However, this didn’t alter the physical and chemical properties of the copper for it to be
considered as a new element as evident in its constant mass and density.

Conclusion
The objectives of the experiment was met. The copper coil was successfully transformed to
an alloy or yellow brass to look like gold. Moreover, the masses and density of the copper ,
“silver”, and “gold” were compared and were found to be almost the same which ranged
between 0.46g to 0.47g. It was also determined that the changes of the copper was due to
plating and to the redox reactions or the transfer of electrons that have been occurring in the
process.

References
1. Yanza ER, San Esteban AC, Palardonio SM. Chemistry for Engineering Students. Quezon
City: Ateneo de Manila University, Department of Chemistry; 2018, p.17-18
2. Helemnstine AM. ThoughtCo [Internet]. [Place Unknown]:[Publisher Unknown]:
2012[update 2017, cited 2018 October 23]. Available from:
https://www.thoughtco.com/definition-of-electroplating-605077
3. [Author Unknown]. Explain That Stuff[Internet]. [Place Unknown]:[Publisher Unknown]:
2012[update 2012, cited 2018 October 23]. Available from:
https://www.explainthatstuff.com/electroplating.html
4. [Author Unknown]. Science Theatre [Internet]. [Place Unknown]:[Publisher Unknown]:
2012[update 2016, cited 2018 October 23]. Available from:
http://sciencetheatre.org/mediawiki-1.16.5/index.php/Penny_Alchemy

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