[TBQ.III(b)]
Copper and brass vessels are cleaned with lemon.
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Solution
Copper undergoes oxidation in air to form black copper oxide. Copper oxide reacts slowly with carbon dioxide in air and gains a green coat. This green substance is copper carbonate.
Lemon contains acid. The acid dissolves the green coating of basic copper carbonate present on the surface of a tarnished copper and brass vessels and makes them shiny again.