Question

lt was Paheli’s birthday. Her grandmother gave her two gifts made of metals, one old dull silver spoon and a pair of lustrous gold earrings. She was surprised to see the difference in the appearance of the two metals. Can you explain the reason for this difference?

Answer 1

Reason for the difference in the appearance of Silver and Gold

• The silver spoon gifted by Paheli's grandmother was old and dull because when Silver is kept in open for too long it reacts with Sulphur present in the atmosphere and forms a compound called Silver Sulphide (${\mathrm{Ag}}_2\mathrm{S}$) which is black in colour.
• Gold is a noble metal, it is very less reactive or chemically inert and does not react easily.

Therefore, gold earrings are shiny and silver spoon is dull.