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HDENPEN

1.  You need two sets of pennies.   Make sure the students do not mix the two sets up.

• One penny for each student from 1970 to 2000. (Experiment I)
• About 15-20 pennies (the computer will assign this number) per student from 1983 to 2000. (Experiment II)

2.  1 cm ruler with mm graduations for each 5-10 students. 

3.  A Balance.  We use two different kinds.  

• An Analytical Balance (weighs to .0001g)
  This better balance is used for Experiment I, to weigh the single penny.
• A balance which reads to 2 decimal places (.01 g)
  This is used to weigh the stack of pennies.
• Electronic balances are easier to use but this experiment can be done successfully using a simple triple beam mechanical balance.

With careful work, good results can be achieved using only a simple mechanical balance capable of weighing to .01 g.

4.  1 50 mL Graduated Cylinder per student.  This must be large enough in diameter to accept a penny. Ours are graduated in 1 mL units so they can be read to .1 mL.

5.   Distilled water if very readily available, but otherwise regular clean tap water will do.

6.  A computer with the TELNET application.   TELNET can be downloaded at no cost.

7.  The students will need a calculator.

8.  Except for the pennies, by cleverly staggering the student's work, this experiment can be completed with very little equipment

9. The pennies must be dry, so you should have enough available for all or carefully dry them between use.
Again, do not to mix Experiment I pennies with those of Experiment II.