Several topics in chemistry and materials science are introduced
in this publication. Depending on the level of the students,
further exploration may be appropriate. Listed below are
questions for further discussion. Hardness of metals: how does
crystalline structure relate to the hardness of metals? How does
grain structure? What is the relationship between appearance and
surface topography of metals? Why are rough surfaces dull and
smooth surfaces shiny? Displacement plating: how do these
reactions nucleate on surfaces? Why are these reactions self-
terminating? Chemical patinas: find the crystalline structure of
different mineral patinas on metallic art (e.g., cuprite,
brochantite, anthlerite, atacamite, paratacamite). Why do we see
different colors when we patinate metals? Electroplating and
electroforming: why is current density an important parameter in
plating operations? Why are the reaction kinetics diffusion
limited? Environmental topics: can mercury gilding be performed
without endangering gilders o