Agar gel containing only 0.1 M Cl− is prepared, and the
aluminum strip is inserted. A little piece of gel far from the
aluminum strip is modified with 0.5 M Cu2+, and this piece of
gel is connected to the aluminum strip with a copper wire
coated with rubber. The results are shown in Figure 5, panel B.
No copper branch growth on the aluminum surface is observed
(Figure 5B, side a), only some bubbles are released, which
indicates water reduction on the Al surface. On the other end of
the wire, copper branches grow continuously over an hour
(Figure 5B, side b). This experiment proves that a copper branch
can be replaced by a copper wire, and microcells do occur in
such a system.
However, some other students question the validity of
this experiment because it just “creates” a microcell of Cu−Al
electrodes with CuSO4 and NaCl as electrolytes. It cannot
conceivably prove the existence of the microcells in the original
Cu−Al displacement system. A modified experiment is then
suggested by the students, as shown schematically in Figure 6,
panel A. The reaction system is the same as that in Figure 1,
and the two ends of a copper wire are inserted into the gel. The
wire is just in front of the aluminum strip; the wire and strip are
not in contact with each other. It can be seen in Figure 6, panel B
that when copper branches growth on the aluminum metalbecomes long enough to contact the wire (Figure 6B, side a),
the other side of the wire (Figure 6B, side b) generates similar
copper branches. The results verify that copper branches act as
conductors. Thus, aluminum (the anode) dissolves while copper
metal deposits on the copper branches (the cathode), and
microcells do exist in the Cu−Al displacement reaction system.
■ CONCLUSIONS
Reactions in gels are a common way to make a process visual.6−10
Slowing down the reaction rate in agar gel gives students the
opportunity to observe a reaction process in detail. By using this
method, the students not only accomplish a reaction experiment
based on a specific chemical equation, but also they encounter
the concepts of crystal growth and microcells through dramatic
images of real-time change and visible crystal growth. Since
neither teachers nor students are clear about what may happen
in a reaction in gel under a microscopic view, scientific curiosity
draws the entire class together. This hands-on experiment can
be handled easily and safely by undergraduates in general
chemistry laboratory courses as well as high school students
in introductory chemistry courses. Students are expected to
integrate the knowledge that they have acquired to analyze the
experiment phenomena and design new research approaches to
prove hypotheses. According to students’ feedback, a chance to
practically design an experimental proof by themselves is truly a
valuable experience.