To remove the tarnish (Ag2S) on a silver spoon the following steps are carried out. the spoon is placed in a large pan filled with water so the spoon was totally immersed. A few tablespoonfuls of baking soda (sodium bicarbonate), which readily dissolves. Is added. Some aluminum foil is placed at the bottom of the pan in contact with the spoon and then heated the solution to about 80° After a few minutes, the spoon is removed and rinsed with cold water. The tarnish is gone and the spoon regains its original shiny appearance. Describe with equations the electrochemical basis for the procedure. Adding NaCl instead of NaHCO3 would also work because both compounds are strong electrolytes. What is the added advantage of using NaHCO3? (Hint: Consider the pH of the solution.) What is the purpose of heating the solution? Some commercial tarnish removers containing a fluid (or paste) that is a dilute HCl solution. Rubbing the spoon with the fluid will also remove the tarnish. Name two disadvantages of using this procedure compared to the one described here.

Chemistry
10th Edition
ISBN:9781305957404
Author:Steven S. Zumdahl, Susan A. Zumdahl, Donald J. DeCoste
Publisher:Steven S. Zumdahl, Susan A. Zumdahl, Donald J. DeCoste
Chapter1: Chemical Foundations
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 1RQ: Define and explain the differences between the following terms. a. law and theory b. theory and...
icon
Related questions
Question

To remove the tarnish (Ag2S) on a silver spoon the following steps are carried out.

  1. the spoon is placed in a large pan filled with water so the spoon was totally immersed.
  2. A few tablespoonfuls of baking soda (sodium bicarbonate), which readily dissolves. Is added.
  3. Some aluminum foil is placed at the bottom of the pan in contact with the spoon and then heated the solution to about 80°
  4. After a few minutes, the spoon is removed and rinsed with cold water. The tarnish is gone and the spoon regains its original shiny appearance.
  • Describe with equations the electrochemical basis for the procedure.
  • Adding NaCl instead of NaHCO3 would also work because both compounds are
    strong electrolytes. What is the added advantage of using NaHCO3? (Hint: Consider the pH of the solution.)
  • What is the purpose of heating the solution?
  • Some commercial tarnish removers containing a fluid (or paste) that is a dilute HCl solution. Rubbing the spoon with the fluid will also remove the tarnish. Name two disadvantages of using this procedure compared to the one described here.
Expert Solution
steps

Step by step

Solved in 5 steps

Blurred answer
Follow-up Questions
Read through expert solutions to related follow-up questions below.
Follow-up Question

To remove the tarnish (Ag2S) on a silver spoon commercial tarnish removers can be used instead of the reaction with aluminium foil in a pan with an electrolyte.

Some commercial tarnish removers containing a fluid (or paste) that is a dilute HCl solution. Rubbing the spoon with the fluid will also remove the tarnish. Name two disadvantages of using this commercial removers compared to the reaction with aluminium..

Solution
Bartleby Expert
SEE SOLUTION
Knowledge Booster
Redox Titrations
Learn more about
Need a deep-dive on the concept behind this application? Look no further. Learn more about this topic, chemistry and related others by exploring similar questions and additional content below.
Similar questions
  • SEE MORE QUESTIONS
Recommended textbooks for you
Chemistry
Chemistry
Chemistry
ISBN:
9781305957404
Author:
Steven S. Zumdahl, Susan A. Zumdahl, Donald J. DeCoste
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Chemistry
Chemistry
Chemistry
ISBN:
9781259911156
Author:
Raymond Chang Dr., Jason Overby Professor
Publisher:
McGraw-Hill Education
Principles of Instrumental Analysis
Principles of Instrumental Analysis
Chemistry
ISBN:
9781305577213
Author:
Douglas A. Skoog, F. James Holler, Stanley R. Crouch
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Organic Chemistry
Organic Chemistry
Chemistry
ISBN:
9780078021558
Author:
Janice Gorzynski Smith Dr.
Publisher:
McGraw-Hill Education
Chemistry: Principles and Reactions
Chemistry: Principles and Reactions
Chemistry
ISBN:
9781305079373
Author:
William L. Masterton, Cecile N. Hurley
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Elementary Principles of Chemical Processes, Bind…
Elementary Principles of Chemical Processes, Bind…
Chemistry
ISBN:
9781118431221
Author:
Richard M. Felder, Ronald W. Rousseau, Lisa G. Bullard
Publisher:
WILEY