The patina actually protects the copper below the surface from further corrosion making it a good water proofing material for roofs which is why the roofs of so many old buildings are bright green.
Copper roof turning green chemical change.
First copper doesn t turn green it reacts with oxygen in the air to form copper oxide.
As the years pass and the roof ages the patina will thicken and change colors.
This is a chemical change because copper oxide is a substance that was not there before.
The only way to prevent a copper roof from turning green is to prevent this reaction from occurring.
This layer known as a patina is incredibly thin.
First copper doesn t turn green it reacts with oxygen in the air to form copper oxide.
Colors often include shades of copper green dark brown and turquoise.
This is a chemical change because copper oxide is a substance that was not there before.
Why copper roofs change color unlike iron that rusts and deteriorates as it ages under wet and airy conditions copper undergoes a chemical change where it actually coats itself with a preservative.
The exterior of the statue of liberty is made of copper about the thickness of two.
Copper can also turn gray brown or blue in some circumstances.