Source Institutions
Source Institutions
Add to list Go to activity
Activity link broken? See if it's at the internet archive
![](/sites/default/files/styles/square250/public/resource_images/smile-000-000-001-686.gif?itok=NJIM-uqd)
In this activity, learners use heat to separate zinc and copper in a penny. This experiment demonstrates physical properties and how physical change (phase change) can be used to separate matter.
- 5 to 10 minutes
- 5 to 10 minutes
- 1 cent - $1 per student
- Ages 11 - 18
- Activity, Experiment/Lab Activity
- English
Quick Guide
Materials List (per student)
- Lots of pennies, 1983 or newer
- Ceramic bowl or crucible
- Eye protection
- Metal tongs
- Heat source (propane torch or Bunsen burner)
Subjects
-
Physical Sciences
-
Heat and Thermodynamics
- Heat and Temperature
-
States of Matter
- Solids
- Liquids
- Changes of Phase
- Structure and Properties of Matter
-
Heat and Thermodynamics
-
The Nature of Science
-
The Scientific Process
- Conducting Investigations
-
The Scientific Process
Informal Categories
- Financial Literacy
Audience
To use this activity, learners need to:
- see
- touch
Learning styles supported:
- Involves hands-on or lab activities
Other
This resource is part of:
Access Rights:
- Free access
By:
- Muller, Eric
Rights:
- All rights reserved, Exploratorium,