Instructions

  1. Put zinc dust in the evaporating dish.
  2. Add 20 ml of NaOH solution to the dish on top of the zinc
  3. Set hot plate to medium heat and place evaporating dish on top.
  4. Use steel wool two polish two or more pennies.
  5. After five minutes of heating on the hot plate. Place the clean penny in the solution until it has been fully coated with zinc and turns silver.
  6. Remove the penny from the dish with tongs and place it in water. When penny has cooled down, clean it with a cloth to remove excess zinc.
  7. To turn it gold, place penny in the flame of the Bunsen burner until it turns gold. (Do not over heat)
  8. Place penny somewhere safe to cool.