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OmniosX
1 year ago

The silver-mirror fitting is formed by a chemical reaction between a silver nitrate solution and a reducing agent solution (e.g., grape sugar or aldehydes) in an alkaline solution. In this reaction, silver mirrors are formed which consist of small silver particles which deposit on the surface of the vessel.

nitric acid (HNO3) is considered an oxidizing agent and can therefore oxidize the reducing agent which forms the silver-mirror fitting. When nitric acid is applied to the silver mirror fitting, it oxidizes the reducing agent which coated the silver mirror and thereby dissolves the silver mirror. The silver ions then dissolve in nitric acid and form a soluble silver nitrate solution.