The Alchemist's Gold
| Purpose: | To observe atomic motion and the formation of an alloy. |
| (N.B. You must wear safety goggles at all times during this lab. Be carefulnnot to get the NaOH (sodium hydroxide) on your hands because it will burn.) | |
| Materials: | 3 new pennies |
| 1 gram of granular zinc | |
| 5 grams of NaOH (sodium hydroxide) | |
| 25 ml. of H2O (water) | |
| porcelain evaporating dish | |
| forceps | |
| Procedure: | |
| 1. | Dissolve 5 grams of NaOH in 25 ml. of water. |
| 2. | Add 1 gram of granular zinc to the NaOH solution. Place the solution on the hot plate and heat to just below the boiling point. |
| 3. | Immerse the pennies into the NaOH and the zinc bath. After 1 minute, turn the pennies over by using the forceps. This should produce a silver colored coin. |
| 4. | Remove the pennies, rinse with water and dry. |
| 5. | To make the alloy, place a penny on the hot plate and observe. |
Carefully return your materials to the front
of the room. Clean your area and wash your hands.