Discussion Overview
The discussion revolves around the feasibility of gold plating a penny using gold nitrate or other methods, including electroplating and electroless gold. Participants explore various chemical approaches, potential hazards, and alternative plating options such as silver plating.
Discussion Character
- Exploratory
- Technical explanation
- Debate/contested
Main Points Raised
- One participant inquires about using gold nitrate for gold plating without melting gold, questioning its rarity, expense, and safety.
- Another suggests electroplating as a method, noting the need for a strong acid to dissolve gold and mentioning gold chloride as a potential alternative.
- Electroless gold is proposed as an effective method for gold plating.
- Concerns are raised about achieving a lustrous gold cover, with one participant explaining that low concentrations of gold ions are necessary, but that cyanidic gold complexes are toxic.
- A participant shifts the focus to silver plating, asking if silver nitrate could be used similarly and referencing a crystal growth experiment with copper wire.
- Historical context is provided regarding the use of silver nitrate and formaldehyde for making mirrors.
- Another participant notes that silver plating is easier but requires reducing the concentration of free silver ions to achieve a lustrous finish, suggesting a method involving silver chloride and salt.
- A participant shares a link to a diffusion simulation program that illustrates how deposition parameters affect the structure of electrodeposited substances.
- One participant suggests that silver plating may be necessary before gold plating to achieve optimal results.
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
Participants express various methods and considerations for gold and silver plating, but there is no consensus on the best approach or the specifics of the chemical processes involved. Multiple competing views and techniques are presented without resolution.
Contextual Notes
Participants mention the toxicity of certain chemicals and the need for careful handling, but specific assumptions about the chemical processes and concentrations remain unresolved.