Introduction: The quest for the best penny cleaner
Have you ever wondered if there is a more effective way to clean pennies than just using water and soap? If so, you may have tried using different types of juice to remove the grime and tarnish from these coins. But which juice is the most effective in cleaning a penny: orange, grape, or apple?
In this article, we will explore the science behind cleaning pennies and compare the acidity levels of orange, grape, and apple juice. We will also conduct an experiment to determine which juice is the most effective in cleaning a penny and explain the results.
The contenders: Orange, grape, and apple juice
When it comes to cleaning pennies, many people recommend using orange, grape, or apple juice. But why these three juices in particular? Each of them contains citric acid, which can help dissolve the oxidation on the surface of pennies.
Orange juice is known for its high acidity and is often used in cleaning solutions. Grape juice is also acidic, but to a lesser extent than orange juice. Apple juice, on the other hand, is the least acidic of the three, but still contains enough citric acid to potentially clean pennies.
The science behind cleaning pennies
The reason pennies become tarnished and dirty over time is due to a process called oxidation. This occurs when the copper in the penny reacts with oxygen in the air and creates a layer of copper oxide on the surface. This layer can make the penny appear dull and dirty.
To remove this layer and restore the shine of the penny, we need to use a substance that can dissolve the copper oxide. This is where the acidity in citrus juices comes into play. The citric acid in the juice can help break down the copper oxide and remove it from the penny.
The acidity of orange juice
Orange juice is highly acidic, with a pH level of around 3.5. This acidity level is what makes it an effective cleaner for pennies. The citric acid in the juice can react with the copper oxide on the surface of the penny and dissolve it, leaving behind a shiny coin.
The acidity of grape juice
Grape juice is also acidic, but to a lesser extent than orange juice. It has a pH level of around 3.9, which is still enough to potentially clean pennies. While it may not be as effective as orange juice, it can still help remove some of the tarnish from the penny.
The acidity of apple juice
Apple juice is the least acidic of the three juices, with a pH level of around 3.0. Despite this, it still contains enough citric acid to potentially clean pennies. However, it may not be as effective as orange or grape juice in removing the oxidation from the surface of the penny.
Conducting the penny cleaning experiment
To determine which juice is the most effective in cleaning a penny, we conducted a simple experiment. We took three dirty pennies and placed each one in a cup of orange, grape, or apple juice. We left them in the juice for five minutes and then rinsed them with water.
Results: Which juice cleaned the penny best?
After conducting the experiment, we found that the orange juice cleaned the penny the best. It removed almost all of the tarnish and left the penny looking shiny and new. The grape juice also removed some of the tarnish, but not as much as the orange juice. The apple juice did not seem to have much of an effect on the penny at all.
Explaining the results
The reason orange juice was the most effective in cleaning the penny is due to its high acidity level. The citric acid in the juice was able to react with the copper oxide on the surface of the penny and dissolve it, leaving behind a shiny coin.
The grape juice was not as effective as the orange juice because it has a lower acidity level. While it still contains citric acid, it was not strong enough to completely remove the tarnish from the penny.
The apple juice did not clean the penny very well because it has the lowest acidity level of the three juices. While it may still contain citric acid, it was not strong enough to make a significant impact on the tarnish.
Possible limitations of the experiment
There are a few limitations to this experiment that should be noted. Firstly, it was only conducted on three pennies, which is a small sample size. Secondly, the pennies used were not of the same age or condition, which could affect the results. Finally, the experiment was conducted for only five minutes, which may not have been enough time for the juices to fully dissolve the tarnish.
Conclusion: The winner of the penny cleaning challenge
Based on our experiment, it appears that orange juice is the most effective in cleaning a penny. However, this does not mean that grape or apple juice cannot be used to clean pennies. They may still be effective in removing some of the tarnish, especially if the penny is not heavily oxidized.
Practical applications and further research
This experiment has practical applications for those who collect coins or need to clean pennies for other reasons. It shows that orange juice can be an effective and inexpensive way to clean pennies.
Further research could be done to explore the effectiveness of other citrus juices, such as lemon or lime juice, in cleaning pennies. Additionally, more thorough experiments could be conducted on larger samples of pennies to determine the most effective cleaning method overall.
