The One Where We Put Stuff in Acid

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Acids are reactive, and even weak acids like vinegar can wow students with their reactivity. But strong acids can really put on a show, dissolving otherwise relatively inert metals. And aqua regia, or royal water, is a mixture of hydrochloric and nitric acids that can dissolve gold, a noble metal. Watch as Reactions uses some acid know-how to tell a chemistry detective story and sort real gold from the imposters.

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Writer:
Darcy Gentleman, Ph.D.

Narrator:
Alexa Billow

Producer:
Sean Parsons

Fact Checker:
Kyle Nackers

Scientific consultants:
Matt Hartings, Ph.D.
Darcy Gentleman, Ph.D.

Music:
"Dance Floor" by bhzimmy
"Nylon Flares" by EasyAccessMusic

Sources:
History of nitric acid
http://www.scs.illinois.edu/~mainzv/HIST/bulletin_open_access/v34-2/v34-2%20p105-116.pdf

Industrial uses sulphuric acid
http://www.worldofchemicals.com/430/chemistry-articles/industrial-applications-of-sulfuric-acid.html

Quantitative Chemical Analysis, 6e, by DC Harris. WH Freeman © 2003

Inorganic Chemistry, 2e, by Shirver, Atkins, and Langford. WH Freeman © 1994