Question

The tarnishing of silver ornaments in the atmosphere is due to the formation of:
${\text{A}}{\text{. A}}{{\text{g}}_2}O$
${\text{B}}{\text{. }}A{g_2}S$
${\text{C}}{\text{. }}A{g_2}C{O_3}$
${\text{D}}{\text{. }}A{g_2}S{O_4}$

Answer 1

Hint: In the atmosphere or in air, a silver object tarnishes because of the reaction of silver with hydrogen sulphide and oxygen present in air.

Complete step-by-step answer:
We know that silver is a soft, white metal with a shiny surface. It is the most ductile and most malleable metal.
When silver metal or ornaments made of silver get exposed to air, they get decolourised or we can say tarnished.
It is because in the atmosphere, a silver metal reacts with the hydrogen sulphide and oxygen present in the air and it leads to formation of compounds which leads to tarnishing of silver ornaments.
Let us see the chemical reaction equation involved-
$2Ag + \dfrac{1}{2}{O_2}\xrightarrow{{}}A{g_2}O$
When silver reacts with the oxygen present in the air, it forms a compound, $A{g_2}O$ .
Also, silver reacts with hydrogen sulphide, the chemical reaction equation is-
$2Ag + {H_2}S\xrightarrow{{}}A{g_2}S + {H_2}$
So, when silver reacts with hydrogen sulphide, then $A{g_2}S$ is formed.
So, the tarnishing of silver ornaments in the atmosphere is due to the formation of $A{g_2}O$ , $A{g_2}S$
Hence, the correct option is A and B.

Note – Whenever such types of questions occur then, first you should know about the properties of silver, as mentioned in the solution that silver is a soft, white metal which has a shiny surface and it is the most ductile and malleable metal. You should also write the equations involved in the chemical reaction to know the compounds formed during the reaction.