I have my late grandpa’s silver spoon attached to my fridge with a neodymium magnet. What kind of chemical reaction causes that discolouration?
I have my late grandpa’s silver spoon attached to my fridge with a neodymium magnet. What kind of chemical reaction causes that discolouration?
Thin film interference
Thanks!
Based on the phase interaction part of the article, there’s constructive and reconstructive phase interaction going on. That’s what produces the different colors. The thickness of the layer determines which wavelengths are lucky enough to reflect this way.
That chapter has some nice diagrams about it.
Also, here’s what happens with iron oxide.