Question

How can the tarnish be removed without the loss of silver?

1) Use sodium bicarbonate to reduce the silver sulfide to metallic silver.
2) Use aluminum to reduce the silver sulfide to metallic silver.
3) Heat a piece of silver to remove the tarnish.
4) Use silver polish to remove the tarnish.

Answer 1

Tarnish on silver can be removed without losing silver by using sodium bicarbonate or aluminum to convert the silver sulfide back to metallic silver.

Step-by-step explanation:

The tarnish on silver can be removed without the loss of silver by using sodium bicarbonate or aluminum to reduce the silver sulfide to metallic silver.

• Option 1: Use sodium bicarbonate: Sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) can be used as a reducing agent to convert silver sulfide back to metallic silver. This reaction can be represented by the equation: Ag2S + 4NaHCO3 → 2Ag + Na2S + 4CO2 + 2H2O.
• Option 2: Use aluminum: Aluminum can also be used as a reducing agent to convert silver sulfide back to metallic silver. This reaction can be represented by the equation: 3Ag2S + 2Al → 6Ag + Al2S3.

Both methods allow for the removal of tarnish without the loss of silver.