Asked by Jiskhaa

Which of the following metals would be expected to have the most unstable salts?
a) sodium
b) zinc
c) tin
d) silver

Please define for me what 'unstable salts' are please?
Answered by bobpursley
unstable salts: they deterioate, or decompose easily at low are moderate temperatures, or easily under electrolysis, or easily react with the atmosphere to form new compounds.

Chemically, they do not have a high heat of formation usually.

So pick a few compounds (oxide, sulfides), and compare the heats of formation. Hint: Silver is fairly easy to polish if the tarnish is silver sulfide? Why?
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