Why Is The Statue Of Liberty Green Chemistry
Camila Farah
But did you know she wasn t always that color.
While it is due in part to the statue s 27 tonnes of copper oxidising in the air the chemical reactions that underpin this specific bluish green encrustation or verdigris are a little more. Her color change is thanks to about 30 years worth of chemistry in the air of new york city harbor. This explains why the statue of liberty is green. It s not a simple single reaction between copper and oxygen to produce a green oxide as you might think.
The statue of liberty is coated in a thin layer of copper which has turned green due to reactions with air and water. The first reactions involve a concept called reduction in chemistry. Chemical reactions that make the statue of liberty green. Why architects use patina.
This was the result of a series of chemical reactions that took place over the first thirty years after the statue was assembled 5 and provide the reason why the statue of liberty is green. Reduction occurs when an atom that is being oxidized donates electrons to the oxygen atoms. The statue of liberty is an iconic blue green symbol of freedom. The statue of liberty is coated with a slim layer of copper which can be turned into a blue green with age due to chemical reactions between metal and water.
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If left exposed to the air again it will quickly react to form the dull greenish copper oxide layer.Source : pinterest.com