Experiment with chemistry to clean a penny! This can be done anywhere using household materials and pennies.
Activity best for preschoolers and up
Materials
- ¼ cup Vinegar
- 1 Teaspoon salt
- Pennies (pennies made before 1982 were solid copper, use these for the best results!)
- Paper towel
- Clear container (a clear bowl would do!)
Directions
Step 1
Gather dull pennies.
Step 2
Pour vinegar and salt into a clear container.
Step 3
Place pennies in the container for about 30 seconds.
Step 4
Take pennies out of the solution and observe what happens.
Step 5
Wash pennies off with water and place on a paper towel to dry.
Step 6
Discuss. Why does this happen to the pennies? The copper in the pennies is going through a process called oxidation. Copper reacts with the oxygen in the air to form copper oxide.
Extension: Record your findings in a notebook! Sketch your pennies before and after you put them in the solution.
Extension: Make it a guessing game! Try using a variety of solutions to clean your penny (water, milk, oil, vinegar) and see which one works best.
Be sure to share your penny reactions with us on Instagram by tagging @sdcdm320.
Do you have questions about this activity? Email Education@sdcdm.org