Acid test

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An acid test is a qualitative chemical or metallurgical assay utilizing acid. Historically, it often involved the use of a robust acid to distinguish gold from base metals. Figuratively, the term represents any definitive test for attributes, such as gauging a person's character or evaluating a product's performance.

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Chemistry

A visualization of the aqua fortis (nitric acid) and aqua regia acid tests on zinc, copper, silver, and gold. Acid test.svg
A visualization of the aqua fortis (nitric acid) and aqua regia acid tests on zinc, copper, silver, and gold.

Testing for gold with acid capitalizes on gold's status as a noble metal, resistant to corrosion, oxidation, or acid. The procedure includes rubbing the gold-colored item on black stone, leaving a visible mark. The mark undergoes scrutiny by applying nitric acid, which dissolves the mark of any item not gold, stainless steel, zinc, tungsten, aluminum, platinum, or palladium. [1] If the mark persists, further testing involves aqua regia (nitric acid and hydrochloric acid). If the mark dissolves, the item proves to be genuine gold. More precise assessment of fineness or purity is achieved using varying strengths of aqua regia and comparative testing against known fineness. [2] [3] [4] [5]

Geology

In geological applications, detecting the presence of calcite or other forms of calcium carbonate in alkaline soils or during lithological analysis involves using dilute hydrochloric acid and observing effervescence. [6]

Figurative meanings

The figurative usage of the expression gained popularity during and after the California Gold Rush, [7] but had currency even before then. An example from the Wisconsin paper The Columbia Reporter, November 1845, illustrates this: "Twenty-four years of service demonstrates his ability to stand the acid test, as Gibson’s Soap Polish has done for over thirty years." [8]

Other instances of the figurative use of the phrase include websites like Acid1, Acid2, and Acid3, designed to test web browsers for compliance with current web standards. Financial analysts also employ the "acid test" nickname for the quick ratio method, which assesses the liquidity of a business.

The term "acid test" took on a different meaning in the realm of experiences with the psychedelic drug LSD, [9] popularized by the Merry Pranksters. This association stems from the drug's colloquial name, "acid" (which chemically it indeed was).

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nitric acid</span> Highly corrosive mineral acid

Nitric acid is the inorganic compound with the formula HNO3. It is a highly corrosive mineral acid. The compound is colorless, but samples tend to acquire a yellow cast over time due to decomposition into oxides of nitrogen. Most commercially available nitric acid has a concentration of 68% in water. When the solution contains more than 86% HNO3, it is referred to as fuming nitric acid. Depending on the amount of nitrogen dioxide present, fuming nitric acid is further characterized as red fuming nitric acid at concentrations above 86%, or white fuming nitric acid at concentrations above 95%.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aqua regia</span> Mixture of nitric acid and hydrochloric acid in a 1:3 molar ratio

Aqua regia is a mixture of nitric acid and hydrochloric acid, optimally in a molar ratio of 1:3. Aqua regia is a fuming liquid. Freshly prepared aqua regia is colorless, but it turns yellow, orange or red within seconds from the formation of nitrosyl chloride and nitrogen dioxide. It was named by alchemists because it can dissolve the noble metals gold and platinum, though not all metals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Noble metal</span> Metallic elements that are nearly chemically inert

A noble metal is ordinarily regarded as a metallic chemical element that is generally resistant to corrosion and is usually found in nature in its raw form. Gold, platinum, and the other platinum group metals are most often so classified. Silver, copper, and mercury are sometimes included as noble metals, but each of these usually occurs in nature combined with sulfur.

In physical chemistry and engineering, passivation is coating a material so that it becomes "passive", that is, less readily affected or corroded by the environment. Passivation involves creation of an outer layer of shield material that is applied as a microcoating, created by chemical reaction with the base material, or allowed to build by spontaneous oxidation in the air. As a technique, passivation is the use of a light coat of a protective material, such as metal oxide, to create a shield against corrosion. Passivation of silicon is used during fabrication of microelectronic devices. Undesired passivation of electrodes, called "fouling", increases the circuit resistance so it interferes with some electrochemical applications such as electrocoagulation for wastewater treatment, amperometric chemical sensing, and electrochemical synthesis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Red fuming nitric acid</span> Chemical compound

Red fuming nitric acid (RFNA) is a storable oxidizer used as a rocket propellant. It consists of 84% nitric acid, 13% dinitrogen tetroxide and 1–2% water. The color of red fuming nitric acid is due to the dinitrogen tetroxide, which breaks down partially to form nitrogen dioxide. The nitrogen dioxide dissolves until the liquid is saturated, and produces toxic fumes with a suffocating odor. RFNA increases the flammability of combustible materials and is highly exothermic when reacting with water.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Group 9 element</span> Group of chemical elements

Group 9, by modern IUPAC numbering, is a group (column) of chemical elements in the d-block of the periodic table. Members of Group 9 include cobalt (Co), rhodium (Rh), iridium (Ir) and meitnerium (Mt). These elements are among the rarest of the transition metals.

Classical qualitative inorganic analysis is a method of analytical chemistry which seeks to find the elemental composition of inorganic compounds. It is mainly focused on detecting ions in an aqueous solution, therefore materials in other forms may need to be brought to this state before using standard methods. The solution is then treated with various reagents to test for reactions characteristic of certain ions, which may cause color change, precipitation and other visible changes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Palladium(II) chloride</span> Chemical compound

Palladium(II) chloride, also known as palladium dichloride and palladous chloride, are the chemical compounds with the formula PdCl2. PdCl2 is a common starting material in palladium chemistry – palladium-based catalysts are of particular value in organic synthesis. It is prepared by the reaction of chlorine with palladium metal at high temperatures.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ore genesis</span> How the various types of mineral deposits form within the Earths crust

Various theories of ore genesis explain how the various types of mineral deposits form within Earth's crust. Ore-genesis theories vary depending on the mineral or commodity examined.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kipp's apparatus</span> Laboratory device for preparing gases

Kipp's apparatus, also called a Kipp generator, is an apparatus designed for preparation of small volumes of gases. It was invented around 1844 by the Dutch pharmacist Petrus Jacobus Kipp and widely used in chemical laboratories and for demonstrations in schools into the second half of the 20th century.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gold compounds</span>

Gold compounds are compounds by the element gold (Au). Although gold is the most noble of the noble metals, it still forms many diverse compounds. The oxidation state of gold in its compounds ranges from −1 to +5, but Au(I) and Au(III) dominate its chemistry. Au(I), referred to as the aurous ion, is the most common oxidation state with soft ligands such as thioethers, thiolates, and organophosphines. Au(I) compounds are typically linear. A good example is Au(CN)−2, which is the soluble form of gold encountered in mining. The binary gold halides, such as AuCl, form zigzag polymeric chains, again featuring linear coordination at Au. Most drugs based on gold are Au(I) derivatives.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nitrosyl chloride</span> Chemical compound

Nitrosyl chloride is the chemical compound with the formula NOCl. It is a yellow gas that is commonly encountered as a component of aqua regia, a mixture of 3 parts concentrated hydrochloric acid and 1 part of concentrated nitric acid. It is a strong electrophile and oxidizing agent. It is sometimes called Tilden's reagent, after William A. Tilden, who was the first to produce it as a pure compound.

In metallurgy, refining consists of purifying an impure metal. It is to be distinguished from other processes such as smelting and calcining in that those two involve a chemical change to the raw material, whereas in refining, the final material is usually identical chemically to the original one, only it is purer. The processes used are of many types, including pyrometallurgical and hydrometallurgical techniques.

Green death is a solution used to test the resistance of metals and alloys to corrosion. It consists of a mixture of sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, iron(III) chloride and copper(II) chloride and its boiling point is at approximately 103 °C. Its typical chemical composition is given in the table hereafter:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hydrochloric acid</span> Aqueous solution of hydrogen chloride

Hydrochloric acid, also known as muriatic acid or spirits of salt, is an aqueous solution of hydrogen chloride (HCl). It is a colorless solution with a distinctive pungent smell. It is classified as a strong acid. It is a component of the gastric acid in the digestive systems of most animal species, including humans. Hydrochloric acid is an important laboratory reagent and industrial chemical.

Gold parting is the separating of gold from silver. Gold and silver are often extracted from the same ores and are chemically similar and therefore difficult to separate. The alloy of gold and silver is called electrum.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lead compounds</span> Type of compound

Compounds of lead exist with lead in two main oxidation states: +2 and +4. The former is more common. Inorganic lead(IV) compounds are typically strong oxidants or exist only in highly acidic solutions.

Ytterbium(III) phosphide is an inorganic compound of ytterbium and phosphorus with the chemical formula YbP. This is one of the phosphides of ytterbium.

References

  1. "How Do Jewelers Test Gold?". AaLAND Diamond Jewelers. 22 June 2020. Retrieved 13 April 2023. Nitric acid does not react to gold that's 12 karats and above, nor does it react to stainless steel, zinc, tungsten, aluminum, or palladium.
  2. Bunge, Mario (1998). Philosophy of Science: From Explanation to Justification. Transaction Publishers. p. 343. ISBN   9780765804143.
  3. Hall, Marie Boas (1958). Robert Boyle and Seventeenth-century Chemistry . CUP Archive. p.  128. gold test aqua regia.[ dead link ]
  4. School Science and Mathematics Association; Central Association of Science and Mathematics Teachers (1913). School science and mathematics, Volume 13. University of California: School Science and Mathematics Association. p. 732.
  5. Chaplan, Michael (2005). The Urban Treasure Hunter: A Practical Handbook for Beginners . Square One Publishers. p.  194. ISBN   9780757000904. gold testing kit.
  6. Geology.com. "The Acid Test for Carbonate Minerals and Carbonate Rocks". Geology.com. Retrieved 28 November 2016.
  7. "Q&A: Acid test". World Wide Words. Archived from the original on 2011-06-04. Retrieved 2009-04-19.
  8. "Acid test". Phrases.org.uk. Retrieved 2013-04-22.
  9. "The acid test". Cosmos Magazine. Archived from the original on 2008-06-13. Retrieved 2007-02-01.