alleryStart learning →The blue-green patina on outdoor copper structures forms because copper oxides react with:
ASodium chloride crystals
BSulfur trioxide, CO2 and water
COnly pure oxygen gas
DNitrogen and argon gases
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: B. Sulfur trioxide, CO2 and water
1. Copper metal is first oxidised to red copper(I) oxide and then to black copper(II) oxide.
2. Those oxides then react further with what is in the air.
3. Atmospheric sulfur trioxide, carbon dioxide and water all reacted with the copper(II) oxide.
4. The three compounds formed are responsible for the characteristic blue-green patina seen on the Statue of Liberty.
_Source: OpenStax Chemistry 2e (CC BY 4.0), Ch 17 'Electrochemistry', sections 17.1-17.7_
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