I did an experiment today called "removing tarnish". we removed tarnish from a fork wrapped in foil paper.
Now i have to answer some questions. please correct me if i answer them wrong. im not the best in chemistry. thanks.
1. describe the odor of the water trapped inside the aluminum foil. what type of chemical compund is assosited with this odor. it smelled like rotten egg and the compound i think is sulfur.
2. based on the appearance of the aluminum foil, what compound do you believe aluminum formed? aluminum sulfite
3. is it important the aluminum foil touches the flatware in order for tarnish to be removed? explain. i have no clue
4. is it important that the flatware be submerged in order for tarnish to be removed? explain. no
4. explain the benefits of the chemical technique of removing tarnish over silver polish. so the flatware last longer.
3. If sulfide ions are in the water going to the foil, there has to be a return path for negative charge to come back to the silver atoms.
4. Has to be in the liquid for sulfide ions to have a path.
5. NO scratches..No rubbing away of the silver.
1. Usually sulfur smells like rotten eggs, but not the element sulfur, because sulfur is usually associated with hydrogen sulfide, which smells like rotten eggs too.
2. Probably aluminum sulfide if I had no other guess....also because no picture.
3. Perhaps to scrape off the tarnish?
4. No, you don't have to submerge the flatware to remove the tarnish
5. I agree, because the flatware can last longer.
thanks, gentlemen
1. You're correct! The rotten egg smell indicates the presence of sulfur compounds. When aluminum reacts with sulfur compounds present in the tarnish, hydrogen sulfide gas can be produced, giving off the characteristic odor.
2. It's possible that the compound formed on the aluminum foil is aluminum sulfide, not aluminum sulfite. When aluminum reacts with sulfur compounds, it forms aluminum sulfide (Al₂S₃), which is a black or dark gray compound.
3. Yes, it is important for the aluminum foil to touch the flatware in order for tarnish to be removed effectively. This technique, known as "aluminum foil method," relies on a chemical reaction between the aluminum and tarnish. The tarnish, which is typically silver sulfide (Ag₂S), reacts with the aluminum and is converted back into silver. For this reaction to occur, it is crucial for the aluminum foil to make direct contact with the tarnished surface.
4. No, it is not necessary for the flatware to be fully submerged in order for tarnish to be removed using the aluminum foil method. The reaction between the aluminum and tarnish occurs at the contact point, so as long as the tarnished areas are in direct contact with the aluminum foil, tarnish removal can take place effectively. However, submerging the flatware in water or a cleaning solution can help improve the efficiency and speed of the process.
5. The chemical technique of removing tarnish using aluminum foil offers several benefits over traditional silver polish. Firstly, it is a non-abrasive method that does not require rubbing or scrubbing, thus reducing the risk of damaging the surface of the flatware. Secondly, it is a cost-effective and easily accessible method, as aluminum foil and water are readily available household items. Thirdly, the process is relatively quick and efficient, especially for lighter tarnish layers. Lastly, this method can help extend the lifespan of the silverware by removing tarnish and preventing further oxidation.