10.3.1

Corrosion

Test yourself

Corrosion

Corrosion describes the gradual destruction of metals because of chemical reactions between metals and the oxygen and water around them. The rusting of iron is an example of corrosion:

Illustrative background for Rusting reactionIllustrative background for Rusting reaction ?? "content

Rusting reaction

  • Iron + oxygen + water → hydrated iron(III) oxide
Illustrative background for Rusting experimentIllustrative background for Rusting experiment ?? "content

Rusting experiment

  • Take a boiling tube and put an iron nail inside under three different sets of conditions and see if it rusts:
    • Only water - no rust.
    • Only air - no rust.
    • Air and water - rust.

Jump to other topics

1Atomic Structure

2Chemical Bonding

3Quantitative Chemistry

4Chemical Changes

5Energy Changes

6The Rate & Extent of Chemical Change

7Organic Chemistry

8Chemical Analysis

9Chemistry of the Atmosphere

10Using Resources

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