TURNING PENNIES INTO FOOL'S GOLD
Question: When you combine two metals together, can you make another metal?
Hypothesis: If I take a Copper Penny and Put it in a Zinc & Sodium Hydroxide Solution, then the Penny will turn to Fool's Gold.
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Materials
· 20 mL of 6 M NaOH (Sodium Hydroxide) · 0.1 g Zinc Dust · Evaporating Dish · Hot Plate · Tongs · 200 mL Beaker of Water (placed in 2 bowls) · Penny · Propane Torch · Safety Goggles · Gloves |
Safety ProceduresAlways wear gloves, goggles and an apron.
Sodium hydroxide can burn your skin, so lab gloves are needed. Need to keep a fire extinguisher near by because of the open flame. 
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Dry Run - Last Practice
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Interesting to Note:
If you hold the chemically modified penny in the flame too long it will melt!
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The Science Behind Turning a Penny into Fool's Gold
o Definition of an Alloy: A metal made by combining two or more metallic elements
o A penny (1983-2013) is made from 95% zinc and 5% copper.
o When the penny becomes submerged in the Zinc/Sodium Hydroxide solution the zinc molecules in the penny blend with the zinc in the solution.
o The penny becomes coated in Zinc and takes on the silver appearance.
o Once dried and the penny gets heated by the propane flame, the zinc and copper molecules mix together to create the new metal of brass.
o Brass looks like gold and that is how we can scientifically change copper pennies into Fools Gold.
o The pennies can never be turned back to copper.
o A penny (1983-2013) is made from 95% zinc and 5% copper.
o When the penny becomes submerged in the Zinc/Sodium Hydroxide solution the zinc molecules in the penny blend with the zinc in the solution.
o The penny becomes coated in Zinc and takes on the silver appearance.
o Once dried and the penny gets heated by the propane flame, the zinc and copper molecules mix together to create the new metal of brass.
o Brass looks like gold and that is how we can scientifically change copper pennies into Fools Gold.
o The pennies can never be turned back to copper.
Conclusions
Yes! It was possible for us to make Copper Pennies into Fool’s Gold with a few chemical modifications.
Using the methodology of alchemy we created a brass alloy from the Zinc and Copper elements found in the original penny.
Using the methodology of alchemy we created a brass alloy from the Zinc and Copper elements found in the original penny.
Definitions
Fool’s Gold: A yellow metal that looks like gold
Alloy: A metal made by combining two or more metallic elements
Alchemy: An important kind of medieval science, which we call chemistry today. Alchemists tried to find ways to help people live forever, and they were especially interested in turning lead into gold (so they could get rich).
Alloy: A metal made by combining two or more metallic elements
Alchemy: An important kind of medieval science, which we call chemistry today. Alchemists tried to find ways to help people live forever, and they were especially interested in turning lead into gold (so they could get rich).
Meet the Alchemists:
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STEPHEN KrugI am 11 years old I like to play sports like lacrosse and football. I am in Mrs. Luke’s 5th grade class. My favorite subject in school is Science because we get to do a lot of fun and educational stuff. The reason I chose to do this project was because I love science and because I love challenges. I have one younger brother and 2 younger sisters.
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Nick RossiMy name is Nick and I am 10 years old. I am in Mrs. Morreale’s 5th Grade class. My favorite special in school is Gym. Outside of school I like to play sports like lacrosse, football and basketball. I have one younger sister; her name is Julia. I chose to do this project because my aunt is a scientist and she got me really excited to do it.
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