Sometimes I think the penny gets no respect! Do you take the pennies out of your pocket or purse because they are worth so little, but take up too much room? If so, then your penny stash will be perfect for these science activities from the Sciencing web site.
Cleaning Pennies
This is a real simple scientific procedure to see what solutions can make “dirty” pennies nice and shiny again. Everything you need will probably be in your kitchen, and even though it is so simple and child-friendly, there can be a lot of strategic thinking involved.
Copper Plating
Here is another neat experiment using pennies, salt and vinegar. You just soak some pennies in the salt and vinegar solution for a while. Then remove the pennies, but keep the solution. Now the “magic” will happen when you dip an iron nail or paperclip into the solution. What will it be?
Drops on a Penny
How many drops of water can a penny hold? This experiment is all about surface tension that causes the water droplets to cling together. After you do it with water, try other liquids and see what happens.
Pennies in Liquids
This activity has to do with surface tension too, but now you use a clear drinking glass and numerous pennies. You fill the glass to the top with water and start dropping pennies in the glass. Predict how many pennies can go in the glass before the water overflows. You can do this experiment with other liquids too.
For all the information on these penny science projects, click here.
I bet after you and your family do these experiments, you will gain new respect for that little copper coin!
– Becky Lynn is a writer for EllisDownHome.com. She and her husband Bob enjoy spending time with their 8 grandchildren and traveling. Becky loves cranking up the music and heading to the kitchen to try out new recipes or cook for an upcoming party. She is passionate about continuing to be a life-long learner!
