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Copper penny in gas tank
Q. What is the reaction when a copper penny is placed in a gas tank of a lawnmower?
Steven Younger- Laplata, Maryland, USA
A. My reaction would be "Gads! Somebody put a penny in the gas tank. Better get it out!" -- and I'd grab a "gotcha" and try to extract it.
Only pennies 1982 and earlier are solid copper; after that they are a zinc blank with a thin copper coating. In general, water-free solvents like gasoline do not react much with metals. But gasoline tanks eventually collect some condensation water which may react a bit with the copper and zinc, causing some corrosion. Still, water is so harmful to an engine that a tiny spec of metal corrosion probably wouldn't be any worse :-)
If you are a student and this is a chemistry homework question, please post a hypothesis and maybe someone will confirm it or steer you away from it. Thanks!
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
Ted is available for instant help
or longer-term assistance.
A. Believe me, gas will work better than a copper penny!
Bill Reynolds [deceased]
consultant metallurgist - Ballarat, Victoria, Australia
We sadly relate the news that Bill passed away on Jan. 29, 2010.
Q. Somebody put pennies in my gas tank....will this do harm?
Marcel Campeau- Nanaimo, BC, Canada
October 25, 2013
October 2013
Hi Marcel. Second opinions from other readers are always welcome, but I already posted my response.
Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
Ted is available for instant help
or longer-term assistance.
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