Do coins corrode more in salt water or in tap water?

Answer 1

In a normal atmosphere, a coin has a very thin layer of a metal oxide covering it, which prevents any sort of degradation by external forces, as this layer is very chemically inert. This layer is formed by the process known as passivation.

What happens in salt water, is that when the metal ions come off of the coin, they are isolated from each other by the salt ions surrounding them, which inhibits their interaction. This results in the protective oxide layer not being able to form, and the coin is therefore more susceptible to corrosion.

Answer 2

Coins will corrode more quickly in salt water compared to tap water. The salt in salt water accelerates the corrosion process by increasing the electrical conductivity, leading to faster oxidation of the coins. Tap water, on the other hand, has fewer corrosive elements and therefore coins will corrode at a slower rate.

Answer 3

Salt water will cause corrosion faster because salt is acting as a catalyst - speeding up the change and eroding the material of the penny away.

Answer 4

Coins show more corrosion when they are in tap water.

Answer 5

Any ways the ANSWER is salt water

Answer 6

it takes about 5 years

Answer 7

tap water

Answer 8

salt water