Chemical Forums

Chemistry Forums for Students => High School Chemistry Forum => Topic started by: james5239 on July 28, 2015, 06:04:21 PM

Title: Electroplating without electricity????
Post by: james5239 on July 28, 2015, 06:04:21 PM

So i got copper acetate in a baking pan (i used it before for copper acetate) And i used a putty knife to get it off Now there is copper accumulating in those scratches.
Any idea why?

Title: Re: Electroplating without electricity????
Post by: Borek on July 28, 2015, 06:09:17 PM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2MawIDT5DFU

Title: Re: Electroplating without electricity????
Post by: Enthalpy on July 30, 2015, 05:24:43 AM

You can understand it as electroplating if you wish - though it's probably not the conventional name.

Two distinct electrodes, of copper and iron, in a copper thingyate electrolyte, would already make a voltage in the proper direction for electroplating to occur if connecting them, without external power. So much, that an external circuit isn't necessary: a lone iron electrode gets a copper deposit.

This spontaneous deposition must be avoided if willing to build a primary or secondary battery: it corresponds to self-discharge. Not easy.