Do you know of any good scientific acids that have an affect on metals?

Question

I'm doing a science project on the affect of acids on different metals, and am wondering where I can get these metal cubes, other than from a hobby shop, and where I can get chemicals that would affect them.

Answer 1

You will probably have to depend on hardware stores. You could use aluminum foil or some small aluminum fittings for windows. For copper, either wire or small plumbing fittings. You can tell by the color. For lead, sporting goods stores might sell fishing line sinkers. For silver, a coin store can sell you a dime minted before they started using those copper-centered blanks. For iron, use nails, screws, or nuts. If you find a flashlight battery that is not steel-sheathed, and therefore hard to cut open, you can cut it open and use the outer can as zinc.

Answer 2

I do not advise you to cut open a battery without a competent adult around. It can be tricky and dangerous.

If you're really stuck on buying cubes of metal, try www.mcmastercarr.com. If you look under "raw materials" and then "metals" you can get whatever shapes you like in tons of different materials. For just a regular science project, though, I'd say your best bet is a hardware store. Plumbing materials are often made of copper, you can buy iron nails, and dozens of things are made of aluminum or tin. This'll probably be a lot cheaper.

Answer 3

Acetic acid is the main constituent of vinegar - you might already have some at home! Lemon juice contains citric acid.

Answer 4

why should you


not

try


dil(HCL)