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Answer: Because silver reacts with hydrogen sulphide in the air to form a black layer of silver sulphide.

  • Air contains small amounts of hydrogen sulphide gas (H2S).
  • Silver reacts slowly with it and forms silver sulphide (Ag2S), which is black: \(\mathrm{4Ag + 2H_2S + O_2 \rightarrow 2Ag_2S + 2H_2O}\).
  • This layer covers the surface, so silver articles lose their shine and look black. This is a type of corrosion (tarnishing) of silver.
Doubtly AI · 27 Oct 2026 AI-generated · not yet verified Report
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