SFP+Research+Paper

Title : How acids affect metal? Hypothesis : The scientist belives that when Hydrochloric acid is poured on, aluminium will react the most. Research Paper Acids are chemical substances (typically, a corrosive or sour-tasting liquid) that neutralizes alkalis and dissolves some metals. A solid material that is typically hard, shiny, malleable, fusible, and ductile, with good electrical and thermal conducitivity. Acidic compound have a pH less than seven and releases hydrogen ions in a chemical reaction. The lower the pH the stronger the acid. Several investigators have done experiments on how various acids affect metals. Some of the most common acids used in these experiments were lemon juice, lime juice, orange juice, vinegar and many more. During these investigation/ experiments the different types of acids affects metals in various ways. Certain acids, such as vinegar, when poured onto certain metals like copper, have caused the metal to oxidize. This oxidation causes the metal to be combined with oxygen creating a compound. This type of chemical reaction can also be observed with metals such as iron. When iron oxidizes it is called rust. Other experiments with the same acid but different metal, like nickel has a different affect. With this experiment, the nickel tarnishes and rusts but very slowly.

Several experiments have been done to explore the reaction of acids on metals. In one experiment, it was tested to see why gold and silver where used for jewelry, rather than, iron and magnesium. The reason for this is because gold, silver and platinum are un-reactive to acid and retain their shiny appearance. In the experiment the reactivity of metals was investigated by observing the chemical reactions of metals with acids. Un-reactive metals such as gold do not react with acid, no matter how concentrated the acid is. Although the metals such as gold didn’t react, other ones did. Some of the reactions produced bubbles of hydrogen gas. Doing this experiment helped me see that the rate of bubbling increases when a more reactive metal reacts with the acid. So in the end it proved why gold and silver were commonly used in jewelry. I came to realize that if other metals where used such as iron or aluminum came in contact with certain acids then it would cause reaction to the human skin. It can cause permanent skin damage or disfiguration of people who like to wear jewelry but cannot afford gold. Cultures in the third world, where wearing jewelry is part of the culture and where finances are a constants obstacle, will have a hard time fulfilling the demands of their homeland tradition. So because of this, they tend to use other metals that are cheaper but can cause other damages. Some damages that were found out that could happen are that the areas were the jewelry is worn on and can become sore and begin to swell sometimes. Another damage that could be caused is that that area can also begin to turn green. One explanation that had to deal with acids that has evidence to prove it was: when people sweat, it reacts with metals in the jewelry and forms salts that are often colored and are acidic. These salts are then absorbed by the skin and make it appear to change to another color. There have been experiments to determine why this happens, but there is still no definite answer as to why this happens. Overall, many experiments has been done with acids and metals. Through these experiments scientist has been able to generate data that has helped many individuals in their decision of the type of metals they may use to make their jewelry. Even with the cleaning, consumers have been provided with the data to support their caution as they choose the proper cleanser for their metal jewelry.