The chemistry of silver tarnish and its removal
Download as PPTX, PDF1 like5,413 views
The document discusses the chemistry of silver tarnish and how to remove it. Silver tarnishes due to reactions with hydrogen sulfide in air, eggs, or greens. To remove tarnish, placing the silver in a container with aluminum foil, salt, and hot water will cause a replacement reaction where the more reactive aluminum oxidizes and reduces the silver back to its pure state. The salt aids the transfer of electrons in this redox reaction that restores untarnished silver.
More Related Content
What's hot (20)
Viewers also liked (7)
Similar to The chemistry of silver tarnish and its removal (20)
Recently uploaded (20)
The chemistry of silver tarnish and its removal
- 1. The Chemistry of Silver Tarnish and its Removal Will Byun 3rd
- 2. Intro Silver tarnish can be treated in a couple of ways, including the usage of simple Silver Polish Products. These, however, might damage the silver, and is not preferred (Silver 1). Instead, a chemical reaction with aluminum can come in handy. https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=/slideshow/the-chemistry-of-silver-tarnish-and-its-removal/34319417/s&source=images&cd= &cad=rja&uact=8&docid=XkkoRd1ejOImsM&tbnid=c-pnv- 1Nb76XpM:&ved=0CAQQjB0&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hermansilver.co m%2Fcare.htm&ei=OUhoU_7_I6qssQTr- oDIBQ&bvm=bv.65788261,d.aWc&psig=AFQjCNHq6QDch8UPj4fM2GCG FhRaC9546g&ust=1399429530077336
- 3. Formation of Tarnish Usually caused by Hydrogen Sulfide, or sulfur in general. From: Eggs Greens Air 4Ag + 2H2S + O2 2Ag2S + 2H2O https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct =j&q=&esrc=/slideshow/the-chemistry-of-silver-tarnish-and-its-removal/34319417//slideshow/the-chemistry-of-silver-tarnish-and-its-removal/34319417/s&source=images&cd=&c ad=rja&uact=8&docid=So1BXqOQeZv Q2M&tbnid=0ITw1X2nbeQxEM:&ved =0CAQQjB0&url=http%3A%2F%2Fw ww.gizmag.com%2Fsilver-tarnish- atomic-layer- desposition%2F26849%2F&ei=4VBoU - C_AtPRsATCvoDQAQ&bvm=bv.6578 8261,d.aWc&psig=AFQjCNGEbtiZMw AW_0E0eWG77bYeK22bdg&ust=1399 431702358576
- 4. Steps to Chemically Remove Tarnish Example video of demonstration: Tarnished silver necklace in a container with aluminum foil, baking soda (salt), and hot water 1) Place aluminum foil in the container so that it covers the bottom. 2) Put a teaspoon of salt or baking soda. 3) Pour hot water. 4) Place the tarnished silver so that it sinks completely.
- 5. Chemistry Behind the Steps 3Ag2S + 2 Al 6Ag + Al2S3 (Silver 1) Because aluminum is more active than silver, single replacement reaction occurs. This equation can be expressed as a redox equations: 2Al + 6 OH- Al2O3 + 3H2 O + 6e- and Ag2S + 2H2O + 2e- + 2Ag + H2S + 2OH- The electron flows from aluminum to silver, making them an anode and a cathode respectively.
- 6. Chemistry, Continued This means that Aluminum is oxidized and silver is reduced (Lecture 1-2). The boiling water speeds up the reaction because increased temperature increases the rate of chemical reaction. The salt or baking soda added functions as the electrolyte, helping the electrons transfer (Shaw 5).
- 7. Applications Silver is a common element seen in daily life, from: Silverware Jewelry Coins Etc. These are valuable items, and should be taken care with effort. To keep silver undamaged, it is essential to understand this chemical reaction and its process
- 8. Citations "Lecture Demonstrations - Cleaning Tarnished Silver." University of Massachusette Amhers Chemistry. UMassAmherst, n.d. Web. 3 Apr. 2014. http://lecturedemos.chem.umass.edu/electrochemistry19_ 4.html Shaw, David. "Silver Lightning." Chem Matters Dec. 1996: 4-5. Print. "Silver to Black - and Back." Journal of Chemical Education. ACS, 1 Mar. 2000. Web. 19 Mar. 2014. <http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/ed077p328A>.