What is the purpose of the vinegar salt solution in the penny experiment?

The combination of vinegar (a weak solution of acetic acid), and table salt (sodium chloride) helps to dissolve the copper oxide, and also forms the blue copper(II) ion, which is soluble in water. The penny becomes shiny again!

What happens when you put salt in vinegar?

The combination of salt and vinegar creates sodium acetate and hydrogen chloride. This chemical reaction will take an old penny and shine it like new.

Does adding salt to vinegar make hydrochloric acid?

When vinegar is mixed with salt, the acetic acid in the vinegar reacts with the sodium chloride or salt to produce sodium acetate and hydrochloric acid. The hydrochloric acid is a strong acid.

Why do pennies turn green in vinegar?

A penny is made of copper. The vinegar on the paper towel helps the copper in the penny easily react with the oxygen in the air to form a blue-green colored compound called malachite.

Is salt and vinegar soluble?

Yes , acc. To me salt can dissolve in vinegar but not in large amount it can only in limited amount.

What happens when you add vinegar to water?

When water is added to vinegar, the vinegar’s acidity decreases, which results in a higher number on the pH scale. However, diluting vinegar with water can never make it alkaline, because water itself is not alkaline; the pH of the mixture can’t be higher than the higher pH value of the two components.

How do you clean copper coins with vinegar?

Follow These Steps:

1. In a jar, combine one cup vinegar (or lemon juice) and 1 tablespoon salt.
2. Pour the solution into the plastic container.
3. Add the coins in a single layer, so none of the coins are touching.
4. When you remove the coins and wipe them with a cloth or paper towel, they should look shiny.

Why does salt make vinegar acidic?

Sounds like a college Freshman chemistry question. Adding sodium chloride to vinegar will not reduce the pH, that is, make the soluion more acidic. Just because there is a chloride ion in solution does not make hydrochloric acid.

What happens to a copper penny in vinegar?

Pennies get dull and dirty because the copper in the pennies reacts with oxygen in the air to form copper oxide. When you put your pennies in a vinegar and salt mix, the vinegar and salt react together and remove the copper oxide.