Australia's Science Forum

I have been collecting silver from the experiments the kids have done and was going to cook it next time the art department does their thing, just to see what would happen. Today I knocked the crucible off the shelf, which of course smashed, so now I have silver 'contaminated' with a few other things... Does anyone have any idea how I can get my silver back? Perhaps turning it back into silver nitrate and then putting a copper coil in it? I tried putting it in water hoping the dirt etc would float but it didn't really work.
Thanks,
Rosalie

Hi Rosalie,
I wouldnt take the risk with trying to salvage it in case there are other things in it.
Your life is more precious than saving the department a few bucks.
rhonda.