The chemistry behind the new one pound coin

We all know that money makes the world go around, but do you know what goes into it? The new pound coin arrived on 28th March, largely as a preventative measure against counterfeiting.  Take a look at the graphic below for more information about its composition.

Source: Compound Interest

Why the new coin is harder to counterfeit:

1. 12-sided - its distinctive shape means it stands out by sight and by touch
2. Bimetallic - The outer ring is gold coloured (nickel-brass) and the inner ring is silver coloured (nickel-plated alloy)
3. Latent image - it has an image like a hologram that changes from a '£' symbol to the number '1' when the coin is seen from different angles
4. Micro-lettering - around the rim on the heads side of the coin tiny lettering reads: ONE POUND. On the tails side you can find the year the coin was produced
5. Milled edges - it has grooves on alternate sides
6. Hidden high security feature - an additional security feature is built into the coin to protect it from counterfeiting but details have not been revealed

For more information, visit:- 

http://www.compoundchem.com/2017/03/28/new-pound/

http://www.prlabs.co.uk/lab-supplies.php?N=nickel-1000ppm-for-icp&Id=60172

    

Silver

Silver is a chemical element with symbol Ag (Greek: άργυρος árguros, Latin: argentum, both from the Indo-European root *h₂erǵ- for "grey" or "shining") and atomic number 47. 

A soft, white, lustrous transition metal, it possesses the highest electrical conductivity of any element, the highest thermal conductivity and reflectivity of any metal. The metal occurs naturally in its pure, free form (native silver), as an alloy with gold and other metals, and in minerals such as argentite and chlorargyrite. Most silver is produced as a byproduct of copper, gold, lead, and zinc refining.

Silver has long been valued as a precious metal. More abundant than gold, silver metal has in many premodern monetary systems functioned as coinable specie, sometimes even alongside gold. In addition, silver has numerous applications beyond currency, such as in solar panels, water filtration, jewelry and ornaments, high-value tableware and utensils (hence the term silverware), and also as an investment in the forms ofcoins and bullion.

Silver is used industrially in electrical contacts and conductors, in specialized mirrors, window coatings and in catalysis of chemical reactions. Its compounds are used in photographic film and X-rays. Dilute silver nitrate solutions and other silver compounds are used as disinfectants and microbiocides (oligodynamic effect), added to bandages and wound-dressings, catheters and other medical instruments.

Electrolytically refined silver

For more information visit:-
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silver
http://www.prlabs.co.uk/lab-supplies.php?N=silver-99&Id=27296

Antimony

Antimony is a chemical element with symbol Sb (from Latin: stibium) and atomic number 51. A lustrous grey metalloid, it is found in nature mainly as the sulfide mineral stibnite (Sb₂S₃).

 

Antimony compounds have been known since ancient times and were used for cosmetics.  Nowadays Antimony is mainly used as its trioxide in making flame-proofing compounds and in certain alloys.  The Egyptians had a hieroglyph for Antimony......

Antimony has no known biological role, but it is a potent toxin, with effects that are similar to arsenic poisoning. When ingested, antimony strongly bonds to sulfur-containing enzymes, thereby inactivating them. Antimony is even more toxic when inhaled as the gas, stibine, SbH₃. Poisoning by antimony ingestion manifests as gastric distress, and large doses cause vomiting, and kidney and liver damage, followed by death a few days later.

It was thought that Mozart was a victim of poisoning at the hand of rival composer, Antonio Salieri, although historians don't give this hypothesis any credence. It is far more likely that Mozart was poisoned by his doctors. A heavy drinker, Mozart was known to also overindulge in the popular hangover cure of the day that contains antimony, tartar emetic, C₄H₄KO₇Sb, which was provided by his doctors.

Stibnite

For some time, China has been the largest producer of antimony and its compounds, with most production coming from the Xikuangshan Mine in Hunan. The industrial methods to produce antimony are roasting and subsequent carbothermal reduction or direct reduction of stibnite with iron.

For more information visit:-
http://www.theguardian.com/science/grrlscientist/2012/feb/24/1?guni=Article:in%20body%20link
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antimony

Magnesium

Magnesium has the atomic number 12 and is an alkaline earth metal with the symbol Mg. It is a common element, the eighth-most-abundant element in the Earth's crust and ninth in the known universe as a whole. Magnesium is the fourth-most-common element in the Earth as a whole (behind iron, oxygen and silicon), making up 13% of the planet's mass and a large fraction of the planet's mantle.

The free element (metal) is not found naturally on Earth, as it is highly reactive (though once produced, it is coated in a thin layer of oxide (see passivation), which partly masks this reactivity). The free metal burns with a characteristic brilliant-white light, making it a useful ingredient in flares. You probably remember burning Magnesium Ribbon in school.  Some of the light that burning magnesium produces is in the ultraviolet range. Just as ultraviolet light will burn your skin, it will also burn the retinas of your eyes if they are not protected, hence not looking directly at the light or using suitable safety eyewear.

Since magnesium is less dense than aluminium, these alloys are prized for their relative lightness and strength.

Magnesium has many uses, but most of us are familiar with aluminium-magnesium alloys, which are often found in cell phones and other electronic gadgets that must be strong yet light weight. Gardeners and tropical fish hobbyists are also very familiar with magnesium, since plants need it to grow (a magnesium deficiency is indicated by yellow leaves).  Animals need small amounts of magnesium to support proper bodily functions too.

For more information visit:-
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnesium
http://www.theguardian.com/science/punctuated-equilibrium/2011/may/13/1?guni=Article:in%20body%20link