Penny Lab Answers: A Comprehensive Guide to Understanding the Results
Are you staring at your tarnished pennies after completing a science experiment, utterly bewildered by the results? Or perhaps you're frantically searching for "penny lab answers" online because a deadline looms? Don't worry, you've come to the right place! This comprehensive guide will not only provide you with answers to common penny lab experiments but will also explain the underlying scientific principles involved, helping you truly understand the process rather than just memorizing results. We'll delve into various methods, interpreting observations, and troubleshooting common issues – ensuring you master your penny lab experiment.
Understanding Common Penny Lab Experiments
Penny lab experiments are popular science demonstrations that typically focus on chemical reactions or physical changes observed on copper pennies. The most common experiments involve cleaning or tarnishing pennies, revealing interesting properties of copper and its reactions with various substances. Let's examine the most frequent types:
#### 1. Cleaning Tarnished Pennies: The Vinegar and Salt Method
This classic experiment uses the acidic nature of vinegar (acetic acid) and the oxidizing power of salt (sodium chloride) to remove the copper oxide layer (tarnish) from pennies. The chemical reaction involves the acid dissolving the tarnish, leaving behind shiny copper. This demonstrates oxidation and reduction reactions.
Expected Results: Tarnished pennies should become significantly brighter and shinier. Some discoloration may remain, depending on the degree of tarnish and reaction time.
Possible Errors: Insufficient cleaning may indicate insufficient reaction time or insufficient quantities of vinegar and salt. Over-cleaning can potentially damage the penny's surface.
#### 2. The Penny and Baking Soda Experiment
This experiment often explores the reaction between a base (baking soda – sodium bicarbonate) and an acid (vinegar or other acidic solutions) to remove tarnish. The base neutralizes the acid, helping to lift the tarnish. This provides a contrasting approach to the vinegar and salt method, highlighting different chemical interactions.
Expected Results: Similar to the vinegar and salt method, tarnished pennies should become cleaner, though the outcome might differ slightly in terms of shine and potential residue.
Possible Errors: Incomplete cleaning might be due to insufficient reaction time or concentration of the base.
#### 3. Penny Oxidation and Reduction: Creating a "Rainbow" of Colors
Some experiments aim to create a variety of colors on the penny's surface by cycling it through different chemical solutions, demonstrating oxidation and reduction processes repeatedly. This visually striking experiment helps to understand how different chemical environments alter the copper's surface.
Expected Results: A sequence of color changes, from dull copper to various shades of brown, green, and even blue or purple, may be observed depending on the specific chemicals used.
Possible Errors: Inconsistent color changes may result from variations in chemical concentrations, temperature, or reaction times.
Interpreting Your Penny Lab Results
Accurate interpretation relies on careful observation and recording. Note the initial condition of the pennies (level of tarnish), the time spent in each solution, and any changes in color, texture, or shine. Taking photographs before and after each step can prove invaluable. If the results deviate from expectations, revisit your procedure to identify possible errors.
Troubleshooting Common Problems in Penny Lab Experiments
Pennies don't clean effectively: Ensure sufficient reaction time, correct concentrations of chemicals, and thoroughly rinse the pennies. Extremely tarnished pennies might require longer reaction times or more aggressive cleaning techniques.
Unexpected color changes: Variations in the color changes may be due to impurities in the chemicals, inconsistencies in temperature, or the presence of contaminants on the pennies' surface. Repeat the experiment with fresh materials for more reliable results.
Conclusion
Penny lab experiments offer a hands-on and engaging way to understand fundamental chemistry principles like oxidation, reduction, and chemical reactions. By carefully following procedures, accurately recording observations, and understanding the underlying science, you can successfully complete your experiment and gain valuable insights into the fascinating world of chemistry. Remember, even seemingly simple experiments can provide enriching learning experiences, and understanding the "penny lab answers" isn't just about the end result—it's about the journey of scientific discovery.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I use any type of vinegar for the penny lab? While white vinegar (acetic acid) is commonly used, other types of vinegar may work, but the reaction rate and effectiveness might vary due to differing acid concentrations.
2. Are the chemicals used in penny labs harmful? The chemicals used (vinegar, salt, baking soda) are generally safe when handled responsibly. Always wear appropriate safety glasses and gloves, and conduct the experiment in a well-ventilated area.
3. What if my pennies don't become completely shiny? This is common. The degree of cleaning depends on the initial tarnish level and the reaction time. Repeat the experiment with longer immersion times or a stronger chemical solution (with caution).
4. Can I reuse the solutions from my penny lab experiment? It is not recommended. The solutions may be contaminated and could affect the results of subsequent experiments. Always use fresh chemicals for optimal results.
5. Where can I find more information on penny lab experiments? Numerous websites, educational resources, and science textbooks offer detailed instructions and explanations of various penny lab experiments. Consult reliable sources for additional information and variations.
Surface Tension: Liquids Stick Together - Stanford University
In this lab you will learn about properties of liquids, specifically cohesion, adhesion, and surface tension. These principles will be demonstrated by adding drops of different liquids to pennies …
PENNY DROP LAB - Licking Heights Local School District
PENNY DROP LAB EXPERIMENTAL QUESTION: Which side of a penny will hold more water? MATERIALS: Penny, dropper bottle with water, paper towel PROCEDURE: 1. Observe penny …
Penny Lab Answers - netsec.csuci.edu
Don't worry, you've come to the right place! This comprehensive guide will not only provide you with answers to common penny lab experiments but will also explain the underlying scientific …
Nuclear Chemistry - Stockton Unified School District
Feb 1, 2018 · Reasoning including answers to sufficient scientific principles. Half-Life of a Penny Activity One characteristic of radioactive material is that radioactive isotopes spontaneously …
Water Drops on a Penny - Flinn Sci
Why do water droplets bead when dropped on a waxy surface? Why can some insects walk on water? These observations can be attributed to the high surface tension of water. Surface …
Drops on a Penny Lab - mrtorresgeneralscience.weebly.com
Lab- Penny Lever
Penny-Ante Equilibrium Lab Activity - Mrs. Nielsen Science
Penny Density Lab - Mrs. Dieker's Chemistry Class
Half-Life of a Penny Lab Activity - smithchem.weebly.com
The Need for Speed—A Look at Enzyme Activity - Chino …
1. Spread 30 pennies on one side of your lab table. The pennies represent the substrate and your hand will represent the enzyme. 2. One team member will attempt to pick up as many pennies …
The Scientific Method - Edward M. Kennedy Academy for …
Apr 30, 2013 · 1. After collecting the students’ papers, review the correct answers with the class. 2. Pass out the student activity pages for the Penny Lab. Students should read the instructions …
Turning Copper Pennies into “Silver” and “Gold”! SCIENTIFIC
In this reaction, a penny is placed in a boiling solution of 1 M zinc chloride containing granular zinc. The penny develops a zinc “silver-colored” coating. When removed from the solution and …
Intermolecular Forces Lab Worksheet - Answer Key
Since the hydrogen and oxygen atoms in the water molecule carry opposite (partial) charges, nearby water molecules are attracted to each other. The attraction between the δ+ hydrogen …
Half-Life of a Penny LAB - Mr. Macha's Class Website
The Hollow Penny - Flinn Sci
Instead of making hollow pennies, copper foils with penny imprints are the result. • This activity works well as an open-ended, inquiry-based activity. Do not tell students before the lab what to …
SECTION: Lab: Comparing the Density of Pennies
SECTION: Lab: Comparing the Density of Pennies . Occasionally the US Department of Treasury changes the composition of pennies, which changes the overall mass and density of each …
Finding the Atomic Mass of the Pennium Isotope Lab #5
Finding the Atomic Mass of the Pennium Isotope Lab #5 Pre-Lab discussion: One result of the Mass of US Pennies lab is the discovery that pennies are an isotope with two nuclides. This …
8.87 g/mL 7.19 g/mL EQUIPMENT and MATERIALS: PRE
PURPOSE: The purpose of this lab is to determine the densities of pre-1982 and post-1982 pennies. EQUIPMENT and MATERIALS: Electronic Balance, Pennies (10 pre-1982 and 10 …
Gold Penny Lab - PC\|MAC
6. Remove the penny from the dish with tongs and drop into water. When cool, wipe the penny clean with a cloth to remove excess zinc. 7. Using tongs, hold the penny in the flame of a Bunsen burner and gently heat. The penny should turn "gold" (brass). (Do not overheat the penny.) Do not heat for too long or your gold penny will bend and deform. 8.
DENSITY OF PENNIES LAB REPORT GUIDE - Hazleton Area …
DENSITY OF PENNIES LAB REPORT GUIDE: WEDS. OCT. 3rd General Reminders: Use complete sentences. Avoid scribbles and sloppiness. Spelling and grammar count! (5pts) Cover page: Must include title of lab, your name, date, and class period. (6pts) Purpose: The purpose of this lab can be found at the end of the Introduction paragraph on your lab handout.
Chemical Reactions of Copper and Percent Yield
CHEMISTRY - NCHS Lab: Reactions of Copper and Percent Yield Page 1 of 8 . The objective in this experiment is to recover all of the copper you begin with in analytically pure form. This is the test of your laboratory skills. The percent yield of the copper can be expressed as the ratio of the recovered weight to initial weight, ...
The Scientific Method
3. Turn in the Penny Lab write-up to your teacher after completing it. 4. Do the Scientific Method Practice 2 activity for homework. Be ready to turn in the write-up at the beginning of the next period. Day 3 1. Turn in Scientific Method Practice 2 to your teacher at the beginning of class. Your teacher will review the correct answers.
Bring a penny to class for this lab! The Preparation of “Gold”
7. Have your teacher use tongs to remove the penny. CAUTION: the penny will be very hot. Carefully dip the penny into a beaker of distilled water. Shine with towel. The penny should now appear silver. 8. Using tongs, heat the penny directly on the hot plate until the penny turns gold. Immediately dip the penny into a fresh beaker of distilled ...
Laboratory: Intermolecular Forces (IMF) - Parkland
NOT have to write a formal lab report. You should write your answers into a word processing program and save the file. Go into the Lab-IMF Report and cut and ... With a dropper, penny and cup of water, count how many drops of water can fit on the penny. Remember to aim for even drops, close to the penny but don’t let
Alchemy: Can you turn a penny into gold? - Mr. Tremblay's …
In this lab, you will be converting a regular penny into a “gold” penny! In doing so, you are following a tradition that dates back to the earliest days of chemistry. Before people knew much about atomic structure and bonding, there was a group of pseudo-scientists called Alchemists. They mixed chemicals in an attempt to create new substances.
Electroplating Lab - UC Davis
Electroplating Lab CHEM 401 . 1 . Electroplating Lab . Objective . In this lab you will be electroplating zinc onto a penny, copper onto a nickel, and calculating the number of moles of each metal deposited onto the coins. Background . Electroplating . Electroplating involves the deposition of a metal onto an object composed of a different metal.
“Polygenics Penny Lab” - Grosse Pointe Public Schools
“Polygenics Penny Lab” Experimental Questions: Why do some traits appear in nearly endless varieties? Introduction: Polygenic traits are traits that are controlled by more than one gene, i.e. height, weight, hair color, skin color. If these traits were controlled by Mendelian Inheritance humans would only show two heights, a tall
Penny Lab Chemistry Answers (PDF) - netsec.csuci.edu
"penny lab chemistry answers." Understanding the Composition of a Penny Before we delve into the chemistry of the penny lab, let's establish a foundation by understanding what a penny is actually made of. Pre-1982 pennies were composed primarily of 95% copper. However, due to fluctuating copper prices, the composition changed.
How Much Water Can Fit on a Penny - Bowling Green State …
2. Examine the penny and consider how many water drops you think will fit on the penny. Write down your guess. 3. Place the penny on a flat surface that can get wet, such as a kitchen counter. 4. Fill a small glass or bowl with water. 5. Use a pipette to draw water and carefully put individual drops of water onto the penny.
Tracy Trimpe - Science Spot
Drops on a Penny Lab – Students conduct tests to see how many drops of water can fit onto a penny. Discussion Questions: 1 – What variables were involved? Size of drops Soap vs. No Soap Heads vs. Tails New Penny vs. Old Penny 2 – What was the control group? 3 – What were the independent and dependent variables? 4 - Were your results ...
Penny Density Lab 2014 - Mrs. Nielsen Science
Penny Density Lab An Inquiry Lab PURPOSE • Students will use the density formula (D= m/v) to determine the density of different metals. ... in the Data Processing section of your lab notebook. 3. Design a procedure to determine the density of pre-1982 and post-1983 pennies using the graphing method.
Lab - Percent Composition
Using the tin-snips, cut 3 evenly spaced notches on the edge of the penny exposing the zinc wafer inside. 3) Find the mass of the penny to the nearest 0.01 g. 4) Place the penny in a clean 100 mL beaker. If more than one person is doing the lab, be sure to mark your beaker
13 - Penny Genetics - Chandler Unified School District
have two pennies. On one side of each penny is the letter T. On the other side is the letter t. Each penny represents a parent that has the genotype Tt. One partner is going to play the role of the female, and the other will play the role of the male. When the coin is flipped, you are determining what sperm or what egg is being donated to the ...
“Polygenics Penny Lab” - Grosse Pointe Public Schools
“Polygenics Penny Lab” Experimental Questions: Why do some traits appear in nearly endless varieties? Introduction: Polygenic traits are traits that are controlled by more than one gene, i.e. height, weight, hair color, skin color. If these traits were controlled by Mendelian Inheritance humans would only show two heights, a tall
Radioactivity and Half-lives Lab - Kwanga.net
1) Flip a penny 100 times. 2) Record in your data table the total number of heads that result. 3) In trial 2, flip the penny the same number of times that you had heads in trial 1. 4) Record the resulting number of heads. 5) In trial 3, flip the penny the same number of times as you had heads in trial 2. 6) Continue until you obtain no more heads.
Penny Buoyancy Lab (Discovery) AP Physics 2 Fluids - NJCTL
Penny Buoyancy Lab (Discovery) AP Physics 2 – Fluids Name_____ Date_____ Period_____ All answers and data must follow the PSI Lab Report Format. Objective Identify which of three different liquids is water by identifying the liquid’s density. …
Properties of Water Lab: AP Biology Lab 1 ʼ - Ms. Ryman's …
this portion of the lab, you will test these three properties and apply them to the concept of capillary action. Procedure: Obtain two pennies, 2 pipettes, and a beaker of tap water and some paper towel. You will also need your solution of salt water made in part one. Use your pipette to drop tap water onto a penny, one drop at a time. Count ...
Lab Half life of Pennium - Martin High School
Part D Concept overview: Fill in the missing radioactive particle and place the proper decay symbol over the arrow. 1. 31 69Ga o 31 69Ga + 2. 31 69Ga o 29 65Cu + 3. 31
HASPI Medical Chemistry Lab 1a Discovering Isotopes of …
Lab 1a, Page 4 HASPI Medical Chemistry Unit 1: Atoms Be careful to ensure students don’t open up the baggies and change the number of pennies in each one. This will change all of their data as well as data for future groups using that sample. Feel free to staple the top shut if you think students will peek… but add the mass of the staple to ...
Radiometric Dating Lab - Rutgers University
1. Start with 100 pennies. Each penny represents an atom in the radioactive element Carbon-14. 2. Dump out all of the pennies and spread them out on the table. 3. Remove all the coins that show tails to the side. These are atoms that have “decayed” and are no longer radioactive. 4. Record the number of pennies with heads in the table below.
Lab # 1
2. Use ruler to measure diameter of penny. Divide diameter in ½ to find radius of penny. 3. Plug values from steps 1 & 2 into the formula for volume of a cylinder. 4. Use scale to measure the mass of your pennies. 5. Use values from steps 3 & 4 to calculate the density of a penny. PROCEDURE II (Displacement): 1.
Polarity-Hydrogen Bonding Lab - Weebly
In this lab we will investigate the number of water droplets that can stick together on the surface of a penny. Please read all materials and procedures before creating your hypothesis and running your experiment. Materials per group: -1 penny -1 pipette -1 beaker -water -paper towel Procedures: 1. Place the penny on top of the paper towel.
Penny Lab Answer Key - netsec.csuci.edu
break down the different variations of the penny lab, explaining the science behind the changes you observe and providing tips for analyzing your findings effectively. Understanding the Penny Lab Experiment The "penny lab" isn't a single, standardized experiment; it encompasses a variety of activities that investigate chemical
Experiment: Investigating the Physical Properties of US Penny …
Transfer the wet pennies onto a folded paper towel on your lab bench and dry each penny completely. Use extra paper towel. 7. Now sort the pennies by their mint year. Older pennies tend to look darker and more reddish brown. Newer pennies should look shinny and less reddish. Place your old and new pennies into separate dry
Turning Copper into Silver into Gold
Lab Time 1. Clean any dirty-looking pennies a. Put some salt in a small jar. Add enough distilled white vinegar to dissolve the salt. b. Drop in pennies. It is best if they do not touch each other, so that the entire surface of the penny is free to contact the salt solution. c. Let sit for a few minutes while you prepare the next step. 2. Make ...
Lab: A Penny’s Worth of Zinc - drgchemistry.weebly.com
4. Lay penny on a paper towel to get the majority of water off of the penny. 5. Put your name on the paper towel and place it in the lab somewhere that you can find it the next day. DAY 3 1. Find your penny and measure the mass of the penny using the balance (in grams), record the mass in your data table. AP Chemistry Unit 4: Chemical Reactions
Density of Pennies Lab Report - Hazleton Area High School
Sep 13, 2011 · Conclusion: In this lab, the pre-1982 pennies had an average density of 6.3 g/mL. Based on these results, I Based on these results, I believe the pennies were made from the element tellurium, which has a density of 6.232 g/mL.
Penny Drops Lab - Weebly
Penny Drops Lab Question: How many drops of water will a penny hold? Hypothesis: I think a penny will hold _____ drops of water. Materials: Penny, Eyedropper, Water Procedure: 1. Put the penny on a flat surface. 2. Use the eye dropper to drop water on the penny, one drop at a time. 3.
Formation of a Brass Penny and X-Ray Analysis
Feb 2, 2021 · Brass Penny Lab 1. Students will read handout for homework and do Pre-Lab questions and #8. 2. The next day they will conduct the lab Assessment: The assessment for this activity is the lab handout attached. Extensions: The extension activity for this lab is using the XRD data to determine which phase or phases of brass are present in the penny ...
Experiment 2 Statistical Analysis of Pennies
place ( 0.0001 g). Record the mass and year of each penny in your lab notebook. When you are finished, enter the mass and year data set into the Excel spreadsheet on the laptop computer in lab. We will plot the class data, constantly updating the plot as it is added. Toward the end of lab we will save the class data.
AP Chemistry Lab Handout 01 Per Cent Copper in a Penny …
sections of the edge of the penny, 180° apart. You should be able to see the shiny zinc interior. 4. Find the mass of the penny to the nearest 0.001 g and record. 5. Place the penny in your beaker and add 40 mL of 6 M HCl. 6. Place the beaker in a safe location for 24 to 48 hours. 7. Leaving the penny in the beaker, pour the HCl into the sink with
Chemistry: Isotopes
In this lab, you will investigate isotopes. As you recall, isotopes of an element are atoms that have the same number of protons, but have different numbers of neutrons. You will find the number of isotopes of several elements: pennium, orangeM&Mium, blackM&Mium, and flaskium. You will also find the percent abundance of each of the isotopes.
Isotopes of Pennium
2. Find the mass of each penny separately. In the Data Table, record the year the penny was minted and it’s mass to the nearest 0.01 g. 3. Place the 20 pennies in the resealable bag and return the pennies and the laboratory balance to the area designated by your teacher. PART 2 1. Record the code number of your sealed bag. 2.
Claims, Evidence, & Reasoning - Deer Valley Unified School …
that answers the problem/question. ... evidence from the penny lab. EXAMPLE: WATER IN SPACE Water in space will form into a sphere shape. The water in space video of the astronaut confirms this claim. As seen, the water particles, when released from the container stuck together. This reaction formed
Honors Chemistry Lab 17: Transition Metals , Alloys, and …
During this lab we will specifically explore the concept of metal alloys and magnetism. Remember to always read before you proceed. Part 1: Penny Alloy- Read through entire procedure before starting the this section and create a data table suitable for the qualitative data that you will assimilate during this section of the lab.
Composition of US Pennies
Be sure to measure carefully. Careless measurement may require repeating the lab. Record the following data: appearance of the sample pennies, mass of each 10 penny sample, their volume, and the range of dates on the pennies. Determine the density of the pre-1982 penny and the post-1983 penny sample. Conclusion 1.
INVESTIGATIVE STUDY: HALF-LIFE OF PENNIES - Weebly
penny will represent the parent nuclide, HEADSIUM. The tails-up penny will represent the daughter nuclide, TAILSIUM. Shaking the pennies for 5 seconds will represent one half-life period. During this period, some headsium nuclides will decay to form tailsium nuclides. PROCEDURE 1. Each group will need a cup containing 100 pennies, and a ...
Name Date Class mini LAB 4 Model Isotopes - Deer Valley …
the penny “isotope” data, the mass of each penny isotope and the average mass of a penny can be determined. Materials bag of pre- and post-1982 pennies, balance Procedure 1. Read and complete the lab safety form. 2. Get a bag of pennies from your teacher, and sort the pennies by date into two groups: pre-1982 pennies and post-1982 pennies.
Chemistry Name Period Isotopic Pennies Lab
Isotopic Pennies Lab Introduction: Because they have different compositions, pennies made in 1982 and earlier and ... Calculate the mass contribution of each penny isotope by multiplying the percent abundance by the mass of one penny. Write your answers in the data table. 𝑖 𝑖 …
Experiment 1 – Density - California State University, East Bay
lab (for example using 1, 2, 5, 10, 25 mL volumetric pipet) it is a good bet that the precision will be to ±0.02 mL. So the reported volume using a 10 mL volumetric pipet would be 10.00 ±0.02 mL, giving four significant digits in the value. The pipet should be rinsed three times with the sample
Penny Lab /20 Name: - theschaub.ca
lab. We tried to make sure everyone felt involved and understood the concepts. For the most part my team and I worked together on the lab and we all understood most of the concepts. For the most part my group members and I worked together on the lab and I understood all of the concepts. I did well on the lab and I understand the concepts ...
Finding the Atomic Mass of the Pennium Isotope Lab #5
This lab uses pennies to demonstrate how weighted average masses are calculated. Research Question: ... pennies minted in 1982.) Record the number of each type of penny (pre-1982 and post-1982) in the data table. 2. Mass the entire stack of pre-1982 pennies and record the mass. ... Explain why group answers for the weighted atomic mass of ...
The Scientific Method
1. After collecting the students’ papers, review the correct answers with the class. 2. Pass out the student activity pages for the Penny Lab. Students should read the instructions and perform the lab during class. 3. After completing the lab, students should turn in a laboratory report before the end of the period. 4.
Penny Density Lab: Formal Lab Report Support Sheet
%PDF-1.3 %Äåòåë§ó ÐÄÆ 4 0 obj /Length 5 0 R /Filter /FlateDecode >> stream x œÛräFr†ïû)@ ¨éž ‚ 3 id ¤ÙÑ®,yå¥-Û˽ؘ #¼ay½’ýH~O ...
Properties of Water Lab - PBworks
Obtain a DRY penny and place it on a DRY paper towel. 2. Using a clean straw or pipette, add water to the penny drop by drop until it overflows. Be sure to count the drops! Record the number of drops for Trial 1 in Data Table 1 below. 3. Repeat steps 1-2 for a total of five trials. Part 2 4. Obtain a DRY penny and place it on a DRY paper towel. 5.
Penny density lab answer key - seranogi.weebly.com
pennies separate. Really emphasize how they all did not get the right answer, rather, that the range of answers is what we were looking at. Assessment Assess the quality of the data tables and include questions about the lab on a later test. During the lab, identify the groups having trouble and orally quiz as many students as possible.
THE SPECTROPHOTOMETRIC DETERMINATION - Purdue …
1. Obtain a penny minted after 1982. Weigh the penny on the analytical balance to the nearest 0.0001 g and record the data in TABLE 1. 2.With a ruler, carefully measure the thickness and the diameter of the penny to the nearest 0.1 mm. Record your data in TABLE 1. Note that we will assume that the penny is perfectly
Buoyancy Lab: Aluminum Foil Boat and Pennies - Weebly
4. Place boat in water container 1 at a time. Add one penny to the boat at a time until the boat starts to sink. Record your number of pennies (minus the one that sank it) in the data section. Be sure to dry all pennies between trials! 5. Clean up any spilled water and your work area. Dry off the pennies and return them to the penny bucket. 6.