Lesson 10 of 14
Why gold and silver make jewellery
Show on a big screenAn iron bangle turns brown when it is left in the open. A gold bangle stays bright. Why?
Step 1 of 2
- Four new bangles: iron, copper, silver and gold.
- Leave them in the open for a long time. Iron, copper and silver get a coat. Gold stays bright.
Gold does not change in air or water, so it stays bright.
The rule
A jewellery metal shines and shapes easily. It keeps its shine in air and water. Of iron, copper, silver and gold, gold does this best.
Gold is the most malleable metal. Silver is very malleable too. Both spread into very thin sheets. Silver slowly gets a dark coat, so silver jewellery needs polishing. Gold does not react with oxygen or water.
Now try it. Pick a metal. Leave it in the open. Watch the bangle.
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Try the lab to finish this lesson.