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Isolation of Copper from a 5-Cent Coin. An Example of Electrorefining

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Steven G. Sogo

Laguna Beach High School, Laguna Beach, CA 92651

J. Chem. Educ., 2004, 81 (4), p 530

DOI: 10.1021/ed081p530

Publication Date (Web): April 1, 2004

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.

Keywords (Audience):

First-Year Undergraduate / General

Keywords (Domain):

Laboratory Instruction

Keywords (Feature):

Second-Year and AP Chemistry

Keywords (Pedagogy):

Hands-On Learning / Manipulatives

Keywords (Subject):

Copper

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This article has been cited by 3 ACS Journal articles (3 most recent appear below).

Metals in Metal Salts: A Copper Mirror Demonstration
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Journal of Chemical Education2010 87 (10), 1062-1063
- Metals in Metal Salts: A Copper Mirror Demonstration
  Robert D. Pike
  Journal of Chemical Education2010 87 (10), 1062-1063
  A simple lecture demonstration is described to show the latent presence of metal atoms in a metal salt. Copper(II) formate tetrahydrate is heated in a round-bottom flask forming a high-quality copper mirror.
  Abstract | Full Text HTML | Hi-Res PDF | PDF w/ Links
Authors: Know the Hazards, Please! (the authors respond)
Anne K. Bentley , Arthur B. Ellis and Mohammed Farhoud , Anne-Marie L. Nickel , George C. Lisensky , Wendy C. Crone
Journal of Chemical Education2005 82 (12), 1775
- Authors: Know the Hazards, Please! (the authors respond)
  Anne K. Bentley , Arthur B. Ellis and Mohammed Farhoud , Anne-Marie L. Nickel , George C. Lisensky , Wendy C. Crone
  Journal of Chemical Education2005 82 (12), 1775
  The MSDS for commercial Ni plating solution states that the product is regulated as toxic and contains ingredients that are known to cause cancer.
  Abstract | Hi-Res PDF | PDF w/ Links
Authors: Know the Hazards, Please!
Jay A. Young
Journal of Chemical Education2005 82 (12), 1775
- Authors: Know the Hazards, Please!
  Jay A. Young
  Journal of Chemical Education2005 82 (12), 1775
  The article “Template Synthesis and Magnetic Manipulation of Nickel Nanowires” does not identify all of the important potential hazards involved; nickel compounds are known to be human carcinogens, and nickel and its compounds are mutagenic.
  Abstract | Hi-Res PDF | PDF w/ Links