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Dissolving coins so salts can be analyzed

I am in high school and I'm trying to do a project on 'detection of elements in coins'. I would like to know what acids should I use which would oxidise the elements in the coin so that their salt solution can be obtained, on which elementary chemical tests can be performed?

Punita G.
student - New Delhi, DELHI, INDIA
2003

Assuming none of your coins contain gold, you should be able to dissolve them in 50% nitric acid. If they do contain gold, you will need aqua regia. Once in solution, you can alter the pH to make the liquid more easy to handle. To determine what metals are present, you will need to do either cationic analyses or spot tests. Any good analytical chemistry text book will give you the details.

Trevor Crichton
R&D practical scientist
Chesham, Bucks, UK
2003

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