Turning Copper Coins into Gold

Aim: to turn a copper coin into gold.

Equipment:

• Copper coin/copper strip
• Bunsen Burner
• tripod
• Heat mat
• Gauze mat
• Beaker
• tongs
• Zinc metal 
• 2.0 M Hydrochloric acid (HCI)

Method: 

1. Wash copper coin thoroughly
2. Add fresh strips of zinc metal to the solution. Heat to boil over a Bunsen Burner.
3. Drop washed copper coin into the solution. Make sure it is touching some of the zinc metal or the reaction won´t work.
4. Leave coin in the solution for 5-10 minutes (check back to observe changes).
5. Remove coin with tongs, and hold under running water to wash
6. Use the tongs to hold the washed coin in the Bunsen flame. observe the changes.

Photos: