A conservator is working to restore a large marble statue from a Greek temple by scrubbing it with water and soap. What is a likely drawback to this preservation?
A.) breaking off large sections of marble during scrubbing
B.) removing the aged look of the statue during scrubbing
C.) wearing off small bits of marble with the scrubbing
D.) breaking down the chemical composition of the marble with scrubbing
The real answer is C.) wearing off small bits of marble with the scrubbing
C.) wearing off small bits of marble with the scrubbing
In this case, a likely drawback to scrubbing a large marble statue from a Greek temple with water and soap is wearing off small bits of marble during the cleaning process. This is because marble is a relatively soft stone and can be susceptible to abrasion. The physical force applied during scrubbing, combined with the abrasive properties of soap and water, can gradually erode the surface of the statue over time.
To arrive at this answer, it is important to understand the nature of marble and how it reacts to different cleaning methods. Marble is composed mainly of calcium carbonate and is a porous material, which means it can absorb liquid. While water and soap are generally considered safe for cleaning marble surfaces, scrubbing too vigorously or using abrasive cleaning tools can lead to the removal of small particles from the surface of the statue.
In contrast, breaking off large sections of marble during scrubbing is less likely, as conservators typically handle delicate artworks with care and use gentle cleaning techniques. Removing the aged look of the statue is also less likely, as the goal of restoration is usually to preserve the original appearance of the artwork. Breaking down the chemical composition of the marble is not a common issue when using water and soap, as these materials do not typically react strongly with marble.