5E30.20 - Electroplating Copper

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.
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:
  • Deborah F. Buffum, "Carbon Electrodes Improvised", TPT, Vol. 35, # 5, p. 315, May 1997.
  • Arun C. Venkatachar, "Determination of the Electronic Charge - Electrolysis of Water Method", TPT, Vol. 23, # 6, Sept. 1985, p. 365.
  • 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.
  • Bassam Z. Shakhashiri, "11.29 - Galvanizing: Zinc Plating", Chemical Demonstrations, Vol. 4, p. 244.
  • Joseph H. Adams, "Galvanism and Electro-Plating", Harper's Electricity Book For Boys", p. 266.
  • Theodore Gray, "Titanium in Technicolor", Popular Science, Aug. 2005, p. 94 - 95. 
  • Sarah Hansen, "Electroplating", Popular Mechanics, May 2013, p. 114.
  • Joey Green, "Copper Nail", The Mad Scientist Handbook, Vol. 1, p. 11.
  • Grant Mellor, "Chlorine from a Drop", Flying Tinsel, 1993, p. 73-76.
  • W. Bolton, "Electrolysis (1)", Book 4 - Electricity, Physics Experiments and Projects, 1968, p. 13-15.
  • W. Bolton, "Electrolysis (2)", Book 4 - Electricity, Physics Experiments and Projects, 1968, p. 15-17.
  • Rudolf F. Graf, "Electrochemistry", Safe and Simple Electrical Experiments, p. 80.
  • Prof. Robert Griffith, "Electro-Plating", Boys' Useful Pastimes, p. 312.

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