tinned wineglass

[mrdutton]

Yes there is an immediate reaction whenever you combine an acid with a reactive metal. The "speed of reaction" is dependant upon the strength of the acid and the reactivity of the metal. This also has an affect on the amount of "salt" (by-product to the reaction) that is produced from the reaction. "Salt" is the combination of a metal and a non-metal; I do not mean table salt in this instance. The resultant salt can be hazardous if consumed.

Tin is grouped with the following metals:

Aluminum
Gallium
Indium
Tin
Thallium
Lead
Bismuth

Tin is a reactive metal. Gold and Silver are still reactive, but much lower on the scale. That is why those metals are used for, amongst other things, jewelry and linings in goblets. Gold is less reactive than silver.

High quality Stainless Steel is also low on the reactive list.

Glass, which is not a metal, is in most cases very low on the reactive list. (For those who care, glass is a liquid.)

[This message has been edited by mrdutton (edited 10-07-2000).]