Experiment: Copper plating an iron nail

Aim: Copper plating an iron nail

Materials: beaker, copper sulphate, dilute sulphuric acid, iron nail, copper electrode, amateur, 1.5V torch cells, sandpaper

Method

1. In a beaker,make up 100 cm³ of solution containing 40g of copper sulphate
2. Carefully add 100cm³ copper sulphuric acid
3. Clean the iron nail using sandpaper
4. Immerse a copper electrode and the iron nail into the solution
5. Allow a current to flow for about 20 minutes
6. Switch off the current and disconnect the cathode

Results and observations

• The iron nail is coated with a thin layer of copper after the process
• The copper coat is shiny
• It does not adhere very well and comes off if cleaned using sandpaper
• The copper electrode will be thinner after the process

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