Purpose
To demonstrate how the reactivity series is useful in cleaning tarnished silverware using a simple chemical process.
Materials Needed
- Infomercial silver cleaning plates (for discussion)
- Aluminum baking pan
- Hot water
- Sodium carbonate
- Tarnished silver item (e.g., silver bell)
Procedure
- Discussion:
- Briefly explain the infomercial silver cleaning products and how they utilize basic chemistry to create a profitable market.
- Preparation:
- Create a homemade cleaning solution using:
- Aluminum baking pan
- Hot water
- Sodium carbonate
- Cleaning Process:
- Place the tarnished silver item (e.g., silver oxide or sulfide) inside the aluminum baking pan.
- Observe how the tarnish is removed quickly.
- Discuss the importance of electrical contact between items during the cleaning process.
- Chemical Reactions:
- Explain the formation of hydrogen sulfide, which contributes to the unpleasant smell.
- Discuss the role of sodium carbonate in providing a basic medium that helps dissolve the protective coating on aluminum and reduces odors.
- Emphasize that this method works best with very hot water.
- Tarnishing Experiment:
- As an additional demonstration, tarnish silver by placing it in a ziplock bag with 1 g of sulfur to illustrate how tarnish forms.
Conclusion
This demonstration effectively illustrates the principles of the reactivity series and its application in cleaning tarnished silver, showcasing the relevance of chemistry in everyday products.