All Keystone Science videos

Materials

How to Easily electro-Plate Metal

Start with the video, then use the science notes and recommended parts below to follow the idea behind the build.

MaterialsBuild

Watch on YouTube

How it works

What this project is testing.

Electroplating uses electricity to move metal from ions in a liquid onto a solid surface. The object being plated becomes the place where metal ions gain electrons and turn back into solid metal.

Read more

The experiment demonstrates electrochemistry you can see: charge moves through the system, ions move through the solution, and a thin metal layer grows on the target.

Q = I t

Total charge depends on current and time.

m = \frac{M I t}{n F}

Faraday law estimates how much metal can be deposited.

Recommended parts

Products used in this project.

Affiliate links may earn Keystone Science a commission. Match ratings, values, sizes, polarity, and safety requirements to your own build before buying.

EDGELEC 120pcs Breadboard Jumper Wires 20cm Wire Length Optional Dupont Cable Assorted Kit Male to Female Multicolored Ribbon Cables

jumper wires / hookup wirewiring

120pcs Breadboard Jumper Wires, 20cm Dupont Cable Assorted Kit, Male to Female

$6.984.7(4,500)

Pure Life Distilled Water 2.5 Gallon, 320 Fl Oz

waterfluid

Pure Life Distilled Water, 2.5 Gallon

$5.694.6(410)

2 x 13.5 Pounds Arm & Hammer Pure Baking Soda (27 Pounds Total)

salt / electrolytechemistry

Arm & Hammer Pure Baking Soda, 2 x 13.5 Pounds

4.8(1,100)

For electrolysis demos, baking soda is often a safer electrolyte than table salt.

EISCO Metal Electrodes 7 Piece Set, Aluminium, Copper, Zinc, Nickel, Tin, Iron & Carbon

pennies / copper-zinc electrodeschemistry/electrical

EISCO Metal Electrodes 7 Piece Set: Aluminium, Copper, Zinc, Nickel, Tin, Iron, and Carbon

$23.994.5(67)

Use a real metal electrode kit rather than recommending currency as a consumable product.

Ackers High Borosilicate Glass Measuring Cup Set with Pour Spout,60ml(2OZ),120ml(4OZ), 250ml(8OZ) Glass Measuring Beaker for Kitchen or Restaurant, Easy to Read

glassfabrication

Ackers High Borosilicate Glass Measuring Beaker Set with Pour Spout

4.5(3,500)

Iberia All Natural Distilled White Vinegar, 1 Gallon - 5% Acidity

vinegarchemistry

Iberia All Natural Distilled White Vinegar

$12.994.8(6,800)

WireJewelry 30 Gauge 0.010 Dead Soft Copper Sheet Metal - 6x6 Inch

copper sheetmaterials

WireJewelry 30 Gauge 0.010 Dead Soft Copper Sheet Metal - 6x6 Inch

$5.664.6(329)

Jesverty DC Power Supply Variable, 0-30V 0-10A Adjustable Switching DC Regulated Bench Power Supply with High Precision 4-Dig

bench DC power supplypower

Variable DC Bench Power Supply, 30V 10A Adjustable Regulated Supply

$64.994.5(2,700)

Project files

Prints, kits, and downloads.

Diagrams, printable files, kits, or companion downloads will appear here when they are ready to use.

Coming soon

Contact

Events, speaking, collaborations, and news.

Send the project name, outlet or audience, timing, location, and the context you want covered.

Email Keystone Science