Why do oil paintings turn black?

Explain why do oil paintings turn black when exposed to hydrogen sulphide gas (present in air) due to lead compounds in oil paints.

Answer: Oil paints contain lead compounds. This compound reacts with H2S in the air to produce black-coloured lead sulphide (PbS). As a result, the old oil painting becomes black.

Pb + H2S = PbS + H2

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