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Why is the Statue of Liberty Green? – Copper Chemistry!

By 10 Comments

The Statue of Liberty is an iconic landmark situated in New York, America. When asked to describe the appearance of the Statue of Liberty, what first things pop into your head? A woman, a torch, green?

Why is the Statue of Liberty Green?

image of the Statue of Liberty


Some simple Copper chemistry will help us to find out.

What you need to clean coins

Vinegar

Salt

Small bowl

Copper coins

A bowl of vinegar and copper coins ready for a science experiment

How to clean coins

1. Put about a teaspoon of salt into a bowl

2. Add about 50mls of vinegar and stir to dissolve the salt.

3. Leave the coins in the vinegar and salt solution for 5 minutes.

a coin half cleaned with vinegar
two copper coins soaking in a bowl of vinegar

5. Take them out and compare to other dull copper coins!

You now have sparkling copper treasure!

Coins cleaned with vinegar compared with coins not cleaned with vinegar

Why does vinegar clean coins?

The reason copper coins dull in the first place, is because copper reacts with oxygen in the air to form a layer of copper oxide which is a dull greenish-grey colour.

When you mix salt (sodium chloride) with vinegar (acetic acid) sodium acetate and hydrogen chloride form. Hydrogen chloride is an acid which works well at rapidly cleaning the surface of the copper coin leaving it beautifully shiny and removing the oxide.

If left exposed to the air again , it will quickly react to form the dull greenish copper oxide layer.

The Statue of Liberty is coated in a thin layer of copper which has turned green due to reactions with air and water.

This explains why the Statue of Liberty is green!

This activity would be great for a school science fair project.

If you enjoyed this activity, don’t forget I have lots more fun Chemistry science experiments for kids of all ages!

Image of the Statue of Liberty for party o a chemistry project about cleaning coins and build up of copper oxide.

Last Updated on October 19, 2021 by Emma Vanstone

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Safety Notice

Science Sparks ( Wild Sparks Enterprises Ltd ) are not liable for the actions of activity of any person who uses the information in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources. Science Sparks assume no liability with regard to injuries or damage to property that may occur as a result of using the information and carrying out the practical activities contained in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources.

These activities are designed to be carried out by children working with a parent, guardian or other appropriate adult. The adult involved is fully responsible for ensuring that the activities are carried out safely.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. MsXpat

    Ah, nice good test.

    Reply

  2. catherine @mummylion

    i didn’t know the statue of liberty was copper!

    Reply

    • Multiple Mummy

      Just covered in a thin layer!

      Reply

  3. Nicole

    What a wonderful hands on way to learn about the statue of liberty, I will be adding this to out United States projects for sure!! Thanks so much for sharing!! Have a wonderful weekend!

    Reply

    • ScienceSparks

      and you!

      Reply

  4. Jojo

    Is it chemical or physical change?

    Reply

    • Yashika Aswal

      This would be a chemical change.

      Reply

  5. your chemistry teacher

    NaCl+ CH3CH2OH is not possible…:D

    Reply

  6. JoJo Siwa

    I was wondering why the statue of liberty turned green! Thanks for the cleaning tip!

    Reply

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