Silver does not combine easily with oxygen but silver jewellery tarnishes after sometime. Why? ( SSETR ONLINE EXAM 2015 )

1 Answer
Vidhi J.
Jun 14, 2018

Pure silver is noble metal and doesn't react easily with oxygen and water. But silver reacts with the sulphides in the air to form silver sulfide which is black in colour. Besides the silver used for making jewellery is not pure. It is mixed with other elements like copper and zinc which contribute to its oxidation. So however pure the silver (Sterling Silver) is it will tarnish.

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