Lesson Plan

An Experiment in Alchemy: Copper to Silver to Gold

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This An Experiment in Alchemy: Copper to Silver to Gold lesson plan also includes:

Use chemistry to change pennies into gold coins! The experimental procedure leads learners through the process of changing copper pennies to silver and then to gold. They record the mass of each coin through every step of the experiment.

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Instructional Ideas
  • Have individuals write and balance chemical equations, describing each reaction
Classroom Considerations
  • Requires prior setup and a set of specific materials
  • Pennies dated prior to 1982 work best due to their higher concentration of copper
Pros
  • Includes safety precautions and disposal requirements
  • Highlights the chemical reactions in the experiment
Cons
  • None