What is the difference between tarnish and corrosion?
Understand the Problem
The question asks to differentiate between the terms "tarnish" and "corrosion." Both involve the degradation of a material (typically a metal) due to reaction with its environment, but they differ in scope and the extent of the degradation.
Answer
Tarnish is surface-level discoloration, while corrosion is deeper deterioration.
Tarnish is a surface-level form of corrosion that creates a thin layer of discoloration on metals like silver and copper. Unlike tarnish, corrosion goes deeper, deteriorating the metal's structure.
Answer for screen readers
Tarnish is a surface-level form of corrosion that creates a thin layer of discoloration on metals like silver and copper. Unlike tarnish, corrosion goes deeper, deteriorating the metal's structure.
More Information
Tarnish can sometimes protect the underlying metal from further corrosion.
Tips
People often use the terms interchangeably, but tarnish is actually a type of corrosion.
Sources
- TARNISH & CORROSION: WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE? - designersterlingsilver.com
- What is the difference between corrosion and tarnishing of metals? - quora.com
- Tarnish - Wikipedia - en.wikipedia.org
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