Set up for Electroplating Copper Demo

 

Code Number: 5E30.20

Demo Title: Electroplating Copper

Condition: Good

Principle: Conduction of Current through Solution

Area of Study: Electricity & Magnetism

Equipment: 

Copper Sulfate solution (saturated), Carbon electrodes, Copper foil plate, 6 to 20 V DC Power supply, DC current range projection meter, Battery jar, Plexiglas Support Beam.

Procedure:

Pour the saturated copper sulfate solution into the battery jar so that it covers a good portion of the suspended electrodes. Insert the electrodes suspended from the Plexiglas rod and connect them to the power supply as shown. The resistor is inserted between the positive and negative outputs of the power supply to prevent shorting . Turn on the power supply and apply the desired voltage. The carbon electrode will become coated with copper in a short time.

References:

  • Vladimir Ya. Kezerashvili & Roman Ya. Kezerashvili, "Determination of the Charge of an Electron Using Faraday's Law of Electrolysis", TPT, Vol. 63, #3, March 2025, p. 197. 
  • Deborah F. Buffum, "Carbon Electrodes Improvised", TPT, Vol. 35, # 5, p. 315, May 1997.
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  • Ef-4:  Freier and Anderson,  A Demonstration Handbook for Physics.
  • Bassam Z. Shakhashiri, "11.23 - Copper Leaves: Electroplating with Copper", Chemical Demonstrations, Vol. 4, p. 212.
  • Bassam Z. Shakhashiri, "11.24 - Forming a Copper Mirror", Chemical Demonstrations, Vol. 4, p. 224.
  • Bassam Z. Shakhashiri, "11.25 - Nickel Plating; Shiny Nickel Leaves", Chemical Demonstrations, Vol. 4, p. 228.
  • Bassam Z. Shakhashiri, "11.26 - Chromium Plating", Chemical Demonstrations, Vol. 4, p. 232.
  • Bassam Z. Shakhashiri, "11.27 - Silver Plating", Chemical Demonstrations, Vol. 4, p. 236.
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  • Sarah Hansen, "Electroplating", Popular Mechanics, May 2013, p. 114.
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  • Prof. Robert Griffith, "Electro-Plating", Boys' Useful Pastimes, p. 312.