Ask A Scientist Chemistry Archive

Question:  One of my students, Nelson Torres, wants to know how chrome is put on the 
trim and bumpers of a car.  He says it's done by electroplating but wants to know 
more about how the process works.  Can you suggest an experiment related to this 
that a 10-year-old fifth grader could perform?  What materials would he need?  Is 
the process of electrolysis related to this?
Thank you for your assistance.
jane rosen

Answer:  Electrolysis is the use of electricity to cause an electron transfer 
reaaction (oxidation/reduction reaction) to occur that would not ordinarily occur, 
such as changing molen NaCl to sodium metal and chlorine gas.  ELectroplating is a 
process in which electrical current is used to cause metal to plate onto a surface, 
so it is a kind of electrolysis experiment....weird but true.  Anyway, I can't think 
of an electroplating experiment that would be "safe" for a 10 year-old...and what's 
more, I usually don't post descriptions of experiments on this board - for safety 
reasons. If you did an experiment I suggested but didn't take all the proper safety 
precautions, and something happened, well, you might blame me.....however, there is 
a section on NEWTON where brave souls exchange experiment descriptions. I'd look there
if I were you.
 
Good luck! 
topper