How long will it take the zinc to reach the desired thickness?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the time required to electroplate a zinc coating of 130 nm thickness on a copper sheet, given specific parameters such as current and density of zinc. The subject area includes electrochemistry and material science.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the calculation of volume and mass of zinc needed, explore the relationship between charge and time, and question unit consistency in their calculations.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided feedback on unit conversions and calculations, while others are re-evaluating their previous attempts. There is an ongoing exploration of the correct approach to arrive at the desired time for electroplating.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the constraints of a homework assignment, which may impose specific rules or expectations regarding the presentation of calculations and results.

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Homework Statement



For a science experiment you need to electroplate a 130 nm thick zinc coating onto both sides of a very thin, 3.0 cm*3.0 cm copper sheet. You know that the charge carriers in the ionic solution are divalent (charge 2e) zinc ions. The density of zinc is 7140 kg/m^3
If the electroplating apparatus operates at 1.3 mA, how long will it take the zinc to reach the desired thickness?

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



we know area and thickness of the plate and the density of the zinc, and the current.
so we can get the volume of the plate and using density we can figure out the mass.
volume = 3*10^-2* 3*10^-2* 130*10^-9 m = 1.17*10^-10 m^3
and the mass = 1.17*10^-12 m^3 * 7140 kg/m^3 = 8.35*10^-7 kg
in 1 mole the weight of zinc is 65.38 g
so in 8.35*10^-7 kg 1.3*10^-8 mole
1 mole we have 6.022*10^23 atoms
so in 1.3*10^-8 mole we have 1.3*10^-8 * 6.022*10^23 = 7.83*10^15 atoms
so number of electrons = 7.83*10^15 *2 = 1.57*10^16
1 Coulomb is equal to 6.241*10^18 electrons.
so 1.57*10^16 electron = 2.5*10^-3 C
I = Q/t
so t = Q/I
= 2.5*10^-3/1.3*10^-3
= 1.92 s
so for both side the total time would be 1.92*2 = 3.84 s

i tried plugging that number but apparently it was wrong.
Any ideas what i am doing wrong in here?
Any help would be appreciated.
 
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rayhan619 said:
in 1 mole the weight of zinc is 65.38 g
so in 8.35*10^-7 kg 1.3*10^-8 mole

Check the units, both kg and g appear here. Use one or the other.
 


yes you are right.
i redo the part.
does it look good?

in 1 mole the weight of zinc is 65.38 g
so in 8.35*10^-7 kg 1.3*10^-5 mole
1 mole we have 6.022*10^23 atoms
so in 1.3*10^-5 mole we have 1.3*10^-5 * 6.022*10^23 = 7.83*10^18 atoms
so number of electrons = 7.83*10^18 *2 = 1.57*10^19
1 Coulomb is equal to 6.241*10^18 electrons.
so 1.57*10^19 electron = 2.5 C
I = Q/t
so t = Q/I
= 2.5/1.3*10^-3
= 1923 s
so for both side the total time would be 1923*2 = 3846 s
 


Looks good! Just watch the sig figs.
 


i tried putting 3.8*10^3 s
but that didnt work either.
donno what's wrong with this problem. : (
 

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