Why does Coca Cola clean a penny?
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Michael Thompson
Works at Tesla, Lives in Palo Alto, CA
As a chemical specialist with a focus on the interactions between everyday substances and historical artifacts, I often get asked about the peculiar ways in which certain products can interact with objects like coins. One of the most commonly cited examples is the use of Coca Cola to clean pennies. This phenomenon can be attributed to the chemical composition of Coca Cola and the nature of the materials that pennies are made from.
Coca Cola, like many other soft drinks, contains a variety of ingredients, but the one that is particularly relevant to this discussion is phosphoric acid. Phosphoric acid is a colorless, odorless liquid that is used in Coca Cola as a flavoring agent and to provide a tangy taste. It is also a mild acid that can react with certain metals, including copper, which is a primary component of the bronze alloy used to make pennies in the United States.
The surface of a penny, over time, can develop a layer of copper oxide due to exposure to oxygen in the air. This oxidation process can cause the penny to darken and lose its original luster. When a penny is placed in Coca Cola, the phosphoric acid in the beverage can dissolve the copper oxide layer. This chemical reaction results in the removal of the oxide layer, revealing the underlying metal and giving the penny a cleaner appearance.
It's important to note that while this process can make a penny look cleaner, it's not necessarily the best way to preserve the coin's condition. The acid can also corrode the metal to some extent, which could potentially damage the penny over time if done repeatedly.
In addition to Coca Cola, other acidic substances can also clean pennies. Citrus juices, for example, contain citric acid, which can have a similar effect on the copper oxide layer. This is why you might hear suggestions to try soaking pennies in lemon juice or using other citrus-based cleaners.
Another interesting method involves using a common pencil eraser. The eraser is made from a material that can chemically react with the copper oxide on the surface of the penny, helping to remove the oxide layer. This is a gentler method than using an acid and can be effective for cleaning without causing damage to the coin.
In conclusion, while Coca Cola can clean a penny due to its phosphoric acid content, it's essential to consider the potential long-term effects on the coin's condition. Alternative methods, such as using citrus juices or a pencil eraser, can also be effective and may be more suitable for preserving the integrity of the penny.
Coca Cola, like many other soft drinks, contains a variety of ingredients, but the one that is particularly relevant to this discussion is phosphoric acid. Phosphoric acid is a colorless, odorless liquid that is used in Coca Cola as a flavoring agent and to provide a tangy taste. It is also a mild acid that can react with certain metals, including copper, which is a primary component of the bronze alloy used to make pennies in the United States.
The surface of a penny, over time, can develop a layer of copper oxide due to exposure to oxygen in the air. This oxidation process can cause the penny to darken and lose its original luster. When a penny is placed in Coca Cola, the phosphoric acid in the beverage can dissolve the copper oxide layer. This chemical reaction results in the removal of the oxide layer, revealing the underlying metal and giving the penny a cleaner appearance.
It's important to note that while this process can make a penny look cleaner, it's not necessarily the best way to preserve the coin's condition. The acid can also corrode the metal to some extent, which could potentially damage the penny over time if done repeatedly.
In addition to Coca Cola, other acidic substances can also clean pennies. Citrus juices, for example, contain citric acid, which can have a similar effect on the copper oxide layer. This is why you might hear suggestions to try soaking pennies in lemon juice or using other citrus-based cleaners.
Another interesting method involves using a common pencil eraser. The eraser is made from a material that can chemically react with the copper oxide on the surface of the penny, helping to remove the oxide layer. This is a gentler method than using an acid and can be effective for cleaning without causing damage to the coin.
In conclusion, while Coca Cola can clean a penny due to its phosphoric acid content, it's essential to consider the potential long-term effects on the coin's condition. Alternative methods, such as using citrus juices or a pencil eraser, can also be effective and may be more suitable for preserving the integrity of the penny.
2024-05-25 20:05:00
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Works at the International Organization for Migration, Lives in Geneva, Switzerland.
Coke contains phosphoric acid that cleans the oxides. Try a variety of citrus juices to see which works best or simply let your pennies soak in lemon juice. Citric acid works similarly to the other acids. Use a common pencil eraser on your pennies to remove the oxides like mistakes on paper.Feb 21, 2018
2023-06-14 15:28:31
Benjamin Bennett
QuesHub.com delivers expert answers and knowledge to you.
Coke contains phosphoric acid that cleans the oxides. Try a variety of citrus juices to see which works best or simply let your pennies soak in lemon juice. Citric acid works similarly to the other acids. Use a common pencil eraser on your pennies to remove the oxides like mistakes on paper.Feb 21, 2018
