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Simply put, coke is acidic on the pH scale. If youv don't remember what the pH scale is, it is a measure of how acidic or alkaline a substance is. Coke is about 3 on the pH scale, making it decently acidic (just so u have a comparison distilled water is 7 on the pH scale which is neutral). In short acid eats away at metals while alkaline eats away at protein. So when calcium and zinc build up on your penny soaking it in coke will eat away at the metals built up, leaving it nice and shiny.

Side note: alkaline pH substances eat away at proteins so that's why we use high alkaline products to clean our sinks and toilets.

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13y ago

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