Floating Pennies Demonstration

The Materials Science and Technology Teacher's Workshop (MAST) provides this demonstration on the different reactivities of copper and zinc to hydrochloric acid. In this module, the reactivities of copper and zinc to hydrochloric acid will be used to separate the two metals in a post-1983 penny. The percent of zinc and of copper can be calculated as well as the economic value of each. The lesson includes a step by step explanation of the laboratory procedure. Discussion questions and a video clip are also included.