Yes, Sam, there is an argument with that, and, I predict you will hear from Ivan shortly...
Oxidation and reduction always occur together. An electron donator---almost always a metal---is called a reducing agent and is said to be oxidized when it donates the -e. The electron receptor is called the oxidizing agent, and in the process is said to be reduced. The process is reversible under some conditions. I think there is some historical connection with oxygen, which is certainly an oxidizing agent. What you are describing is the creation of silver oxide, not a charged colloidal particle. These processes take place with electrons of the atoms outer shells. The charges present are called the valence of the atom or ion. It is not clear to myself how the positive charge on a cluster of silver atoms originates, but I don't think it is the valence charge of a single Ag atom which is a part of the cluster. There is no such thing as a free proton in an aqueous solution, as a hydrogen atom missing its electron; a nude proton bobbing around with its plus hanging out. Instead, the h+ gets involved with a water molecule to become H30+. Now, pure speculation: Or, is it possible that it gets 'associated' with a cluster of Ag? Trapped inside a micelle with a bunch of negative ends of some water structure? Data, are you there..., talk to me... If it were a missing electron, would not the Ag atom hitch up with some passing oxidizing agent hussy? This issue, the cause of the charge, is the source of much discussion, and even some small amount of contention on this list. There must be someone lurking out there who is who knows, and is sitting back yucking as we founder about with these rube questions. Where is Robert Hunter when we need him the most.... James Osbourne Holmes [email protected] -----Original Message----- From: Sam Earle [SMTP:[email protected]] Sent: Tuesday, October 26, 1999 1:53 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: CS>Colloid? was baking soda >Positively charged silver particles are already oxidised (lost an >electron). I've seen this said several times, and at the risk of having my ears boxed by the real scientists on the list, I have to say it looks like nonsense. The loss of an electron gives a positive charge. That's not oxidation. Oxidation is picking up an oxygen atom and thus becoming part of a compound -- an oxide. Any argument with that? Sam -- The silver-list is a moderated forum for discussion of colloidal silver. To join or quit silver-list or silver-digest send an e-mail message to: [email protected] -or- [email protected] with the word subscribe or unsubscribe in the SUBJECT line. To post, address your message to: [email protected] List maintainer: Mike Devour <[email protected]>
