ACS Chemistry Club

Hillcrest High School Chapter

Penny Transmutation Lab Activity

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Background
Alloy
An alloy is a combination of metals or comprised of a metal and another element. They
are defined by metallic bonding structure and may be a solid solution of metal elements
or a mixture of metallic phases.

Figure 1:​ Substitutional Alloys Figure 2:​ Interstitial Alloys

Redox Reactions
Oxidation Reduction (redox) reactions are a type of reaction involving the exchange of
electrons between two species. They are an essential part of the electron transport
chain in ATP synthesis and in batteries for consumer electronics.

Figure 3:​ Redox Reaction

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Adapted from Flinn Scientific’s Turning Copper into ‘Silver’ and ‘Gold’
https://www.flinnsci.com/api/library/Download/674479ccda964683ac6201381ffbdb89
 ACS Chemistry Club
Hillcrest High School Chapter

Penny Transmutation Lab Activity

____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Oxidation State
Oxidation states are used in order to determine the progression of a redox reaction,
being a value assigned to each atom in a compound that measures its electron control
and possession relative to the pure element. For example, in MgO, the oxidation state
of Mg is +2 and O is -2, which represents that O has a greater electron control in the
configuration.

Within redox reaction, oxidation states change in accordance with oxidation and
reduction. Oxidation is a loss of electrons; reduction is a gain of electrons. In figure 3,
the carbon in methane (CH​4​) loses 8 electrons since the oxidation state goes from -4 to
+4.

Oxidation numbers are the reverse of normal counting, since they are a measure of
electrons. Remember that electrons are negative, therefore more positive (higher)
oxidation numbers means electron loss, or lower electron control.

Lab Procedure

Part 1: Penny Cleaning

Background
This step simply is used in order to attain best results during the coating phase,
removing dirt from the surface as to allow for the best adherence of the zinc, improving
color and luster. It is otherwise optional.

Materials
- Pennies
- Sodium Chloride (NaCl)
- Vinegar (5% Acetic Acid, CH​3​COOH)
- 100 mL Beaker

Procedure
1. Weigh out and place approximately 2.5–3.0 g of sodium chloride and 15 mL of
vinegar in a clean, 100-mL beaker.
2. Clean pennies by placing them in the sodium chloride/vinegar solution until they
are shiny.
3. Remove the pennies using tongs and rinse thoroughly with water. Dry completely
with a towel.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Adapted from Flinn Scientific’s Turning Copper into ‘Silver’ and ‘Gold’
https://www.flinnsci.com/api/library/Download/674479ccda964683ac6201381ffbdb89
 ACS Chemistry Club
Hillcrest High School Chapter

Penny Transmutation Lab Activity

____________________________________________________________________________________________________
a. Note: For optimal results, do not handle the clean pennies with your
hands. The oils from your skin may interfere with the zinc-plating reaction.

Part 2: Zinc Plating

Materials
- Cleaned pennies
- 100 or 250 mL beaker
- 50 mL beaker (distilled water)
- Zinc, Granular (Zn)
- Zinc Chloride (ZnCl​2​)
- Tongs
- Hot Plate
- *Zinc, Mossy (Zn)
- *Zinc Sulfate (ZnSO​4​)

Procedure
*​Note:​ ​The procedure may be alternatively carried out using Mossy Zinc and/or Zinc
Sulfate to substitute for Granular Zinc and Zinc Chloride, respectively. If using the Zinc
Sulfate, a greater mass should be dissolved into solution due to the larger mass of the
Sulfate requiring a greater mass in order to dissolve an equivalent quantity of Zinc ions
into solution.
1. In a clean 100-mL beaker, mix together 1.0+ grams of granular zinc and 20 mL of
1 M zinc chloride solution.
2. Place the beaker with the ZnCl​2​ and zinc on a hot plate set to a medium heat
setting (roughly between 150 - 250 o​​ C, allowing the solution to boil)
3. Carefully and gently heat the mixture until the solution boils
4. As the solution boils, the granular zinc may begin to rise. When lowering the
pennies into the solution, it is essential that they maintain contact with the zinc,
and so should be held with tongs to facilitate this action if need be.
5. Remove the pennies once both sides are plated and appear to be a distinctly
‘silver’ color
6. Carefully dip the pennies into a beaker of distilled water. Shine the pennies with a
towel.
7. Using tongs, place the other treated penny on the hot plate until the penny turns
to a golden color. Using tongs, flip the penny every 30 seconds to avoid burning.
8. Use tongs to remove the penny from the hot plate and immediately dip the penny
into a fresh beaker of distilled water.

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Adapted from Flinn Scientific’s Turning Copper into ‘Silver’ and ‘Gold’
https://www.flinnsci.com/api/library/Download/674479ccda964683ac6201381ffbdb89
 ACS Chemistry Club
Hillcrest High School Chapter

Penny Transmutation Lab Activity

____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Post-Lab Theory
Zinc Plating
Placing copper or a copper coated penny into a boiling solution of Zinc Chloride causes
the penny to develop a zinc ‘silver’ coating. When the penny is removed from solution
and heated on the surface of a hot plate or in a Bunsen burner flame, the brass alloy
coating turns a golden color.

Copper placed in a mixture of zinc metal and aqueous zinc chloride causes the zinc
metal to plate on the copper surface because of the electrochemical potential
differences in the redox reaction between form of Zinc in the ZnCl2 solution and in the
metal.

Because of the electrochemical potentials of the Zinc solids. In the diagram below, the
net electrochemical potential of the cells figures to +1.0 V, where different forms of zinc
contribute potential differences.

The net electrochemical potential (+1 V) of the cell is a result of the difference in
potentials of the reduction and oxidation reaction. Reduction occurs when aqueous Zn
2+ gains two electrons to form the Zinc/Copper alloy, and oxidation occurs when the
granular Zinc in solution deposits two electrons. The net reaction is the transfer of
electrons from granular zinc to form the alloy.
E ° = E °reduction − E °oxidation

Zn​2+​(aq)​ + 2e​- → Zn​Cu (alloy) Zn​Zn​ = deposits on granular zinc

Zn​Zn → Zn​2+​(aq)​ + 2e​- Zn​Cu​ = deposits on copper
Zn​Zn → Zn​Cu E = +1.0 V

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Adapted from Flinn Scientific’s Turning Copper into ‘Silver’ and ‘Gold’
https://www.flinnsci.com/api/library/Download/674479ccda964683ac6201381ffbdb89