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  Home > JCE Print > Journal of Chemical Education > Issues > 2004  > April  >
In the Laboratory
Second-Year and AP Chemistry
Isolation of Copper from a 5–Cent Coin. An Example of Electrorefining
Steven G. Sogo
Laguna Beach High School, Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Cover
April 2004
Vol. 81 No. 4
p. 530
Abstract
The United States 5–cent coin commonly known as a "nickel" is made of an alloy containing 75% copper and 25% nickel. In this experiment, an electrolytic cell is set up using a 5-cent coin as the anode, a graphite post as the cathode, and a bath of 6 M hydrochloric acid as the electrolyte. Aqueous copper and nickel ions are produced at the anode, and pure copper metal is isolated at the cathode. The experiment is a visually appealing illustration of the process of electrorefining using selective reduction. The experiment requires a 6-V battery (or high-current power supply), appropriate patch cords, 6 M HCl, and a 250-mL beaker. Using a current of approximately 1 A, an easily measured quantity of pure copper can be collected in less than 30 minutes. If the current during the experiment is measured, a percent yield of copper (based on the number of electrons transferred) can be calculated.
Supplement
Instructions for the students, notes for the instructor, and an optional extension of the laboratory are available.
*  Contents JCE2004p0530W.doc (Microsoft Word)
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JCE2004p0530W.pdf

JCE2004p0530W.zip

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More Information
*  Citation
 Sogo, Steven G. J. Chem. Educ. 2004 81 530.
*  Keywords
 Copper; Electrochemistry; General Chemistry; Introductory / High School Chemistry; Laboratory Instruction; Nickel
*  History
 Created:
Last Updated:		 March 3, 2004
February 23, 2005
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