What color will a solution of malachite mixed with ground meat turn if sodium sulfite has been added?

The correct answer is bright red. When malachite, which is a form of copper carbonate and typically green, is mixed with ground meat and sodium sulfite is added, a chemical reaction occurs. Sodium sulfite acts as a reducing agent, which can reduce the copper present in malachite.

In the presence of certain proteins and physiological conditions found in meat, this reduction process can lead to the formation of complexes that have a bright red color. This is often attributed to the formation of a different chemical species due to the interaction of the copper ions and other components in the meat, especially under certain pH and temperature conditions.

The green hue of malachite fundamentally changes due to these reactions, leading to the characteristic bright red appearance rather than retaining its original color or turning to brown or blue. Understanding the chemistry underlying this reaction helps clarify why the presence of sodium sulfite plays a crucial role in the color transition observed in this scenario.