Chemical Property Chemistry Example 4

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Example 4

hard
Gold does not tarnish in air and does not react with most acids. Silver tarnishes when exposed to sulfur compounds in air. Compare the chemical properties of gold and silver, and explain why gold is preferred for long-lasting jewelry.

Solution

  1. 1
    Gold has very low chemical reactivity — it resists oxidation and does not react with most acids. This is a chemical property that makes it extremely stable.
  2. 2
    Silver reacts with hydrogen sulfide (H2S\text{H}_2\text{S}) in air: 2Ag+H2S→Ag2S+H22\text{Ag} + \text{H}_2\text{S} \rightarrow \text{Ag}_2\text{S} + \text{H}_2, forming a black tarnish.
  3. 3
    Gold's chemical inertness means it maintains its appearance indefinitely, making it ideal for jewelry that must resist environmental degradation.

Answer

Gold’s chemical inertness makes it superior for lasting jewelry.\text{Gold's chemical inertness makes it superior for lasting jewelry.}
The difference in chemical reactivity between gold and silver illustrates how chemical properties directly determine practical applications. Gold's position in the activity series (very low reactivity) explains its historical value.

About Chemical Property

A characteristic that describes a substance's ability to undergo a chemical change and form new substances with different compositions and properties.

Learn more about Chemical Property →

More Chemical Property Examples

Example 1 easy

Define a chemical property and give three examples.

Example 2 medium

A student places a piece of iron in water and observes it slowly forming a reddish-brown coating ove

Example 3 medium

Why can flammability only be classified as a chemical property and never as a physical property?

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