Tell me what makes silver tarnish and why. And if you have any supported links dealing with my question, that would be greatly appreciated!
2006-09-03 10:54:10 · 5 answers · asked by Pinecrapple 2 in Education & Reference ➔ Homework Help
the same thing that makes iron rust, copper turn green and brass turn dull, oxidation. we all need air to breathe and what we breathe has oxygen as well as many other gasses. oxygen in it's pure form is very corrosive, it wants to break things down. with the little amount of oxygen in the air that we breathe it takes a while for it to try to break down certain metals. some of these reactions can be accelerated by the environment such as pollution, salt and other chemicals.
2006-09-03 11:20:21 · answer #1 · answered by barrbou214 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sterling silver tarnishes simply by being in contact with the air. Pure silver is, like gold, impervious to tarnish, or oxidation on the surface. It is the alloy metal with attracts the tarnish. Rub your thumb over an apparently shiny piece of sterling silver. You may find a dull smudge on your skin that indicates that the sterling silver is beginning to tarnish.
Your sterling silver can be kept polished simply by buffing with a cotton cloth regularly. Sterling silver that has been stored away unused for a period of time might develop a significant layer of tarnish and need a polishing paste. Before you employ the paste and elbow grease, try the following butler's trick.
Line the bottom of the sink or a dishpan with tin foil, and fill with hot water. Add some salt and baking soda. Proportions aren't critical here, just throw in a couple teaspoons of each. Next, put the sterling silver into the water, with the pieces touching each other and the tin foil. The tarnish will be pulled off the silver to the foil - in cases of heavy tarnish, you will be able to see it flaking off. Leave in for no more than five minutes, rinse and dry.
Written by Jane Harmon
copyright © 2006
2006-09-03 18:15:51 · answer #2 · answered by drkman11 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
oxidization. Silver generally isn't pure. It is the other base metals in it that tarnish.
2006-09-03 18:00:30 · answer #3 · answered by Skanky McSkankypants 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
tarnish is caused by sulphur in the air that's why silver should be kept in a tarnish resistant case
2006-09-03 18:58:05 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Oxidation
2006-09-03 17:59:36 · answer #5 · answered by dkmcb02 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋