Final answer:
Copper is alloyed with silver to create sterling silver, making the silver tableware shinier and harder. The added copper improves the durability of the silver. Sterling silver consists of about 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper.
Step-by-step explanation:
The metal that is commonly alloyed with silver to make tableware that is shiny and harder than pure silver is copper. This alloy is known as sterling silver.
which consists of approximately 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper. This combination enhances the durability of silver while maintaining its lustrous appearance.
Alloys like sterling silver are created because they inherit superior qualities compared to the pure metals themselves, such as increased hardness, making them more suitable for everyday use.
Over time, silver tableware can develop tarnish, which is a chemical reaction that occurs when silver reacts with hydrogen sulfide in the environment, producing silver sulfide. Cleaning and proper storage are necessary to maintain the shiny appearance of silver tableware.