Which one of the following substances do silver articles react with, t

Which one of the following substances do silver articles react with, that makes the silver articles black ?

Sulphur
Oxygen
Carbon dioxide
Phosphorus
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CDS-1 – 2021
Silver articles become black due to their reaction with sulphur compounds present in the atmosphere, such as hydrogen sulphide (H₂S). This reaction forms a layer of black silver sulphide (Ag₂S) on the surface of the silver.
– The tarnishing of silver is primarily caused by the reaction with sulphur compounds, not oxygen or carbon dioxide under normal atmospheric conditions.
– The reaction is typically represented as: 2Ag(s) + H₂S(g) → Ag₂S(s) + H₂(g).
– While silver does react with oxygen at high temperatures, the common tarnishing phenomenon is due to sulfurization.
– Phosphorus is a reactive non-metal but does not cause silver tarnishing in this manner.
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