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Rust is an iron oxide, a usually reddish-brown oxide formed by the reaction of iron and oxygen in the catalytic presence of water or air moisture.Rust consists of hydrous iron(III) oxides (Fe 2 O 3 ·nH 2 O) and iron(III) oxide-hydroxide (FeO(OH), Fe(OH) 3), and is typically associated with the corrosion of refined iron.
The driving power for pitting corrosion is the depassivation of a small area, which becomes anodic (oxidation reaction) while an unknown but potentially vast area becomes cathodic (reduction reaction), leading to very localized galvanic corrosion. The corrosion penetrates the mass of the metal, with a limited diffusion of ions.
Group 1: Alkali metals Reaction of sodium (Na) and water Reaction of potassium (K) in water. The alkali metals (Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, and Fr) are the most reactive metals in the periodic table - they all react vigorously or even explosively with cold water, resulting in the displacement of hydrogen.
Choose metals that have similar electropotentials. The more closely matched the individual potentials, the smaller the potential difference and hence the smaller the galvanic current. Using the same metal for all construction is the easiest way of matching potentials. Electroplating or other plating can also help.
For example, when sulfuric acid (H 2 SO 4) flows through steel pipes, the iron in the steel reacts with the acid to form a passivation coating of iron sulfate (FeSO 4) and hydrogen gas (H 2). The iron sulfate coating will protect the steel from further reaction; however, if hydrogen bubbles contact this coating, it will be removed.
The most reactive metals, such as sodium, will react with cold water to produce hydrogen and the metal hydroxide: 2 Na (s) + 2 H 2 O (l) →2 NaOH (aq) + H 2 (g) Metals in the middle of the reactivity series, such as iron , will react with acids such as sulfuric acid (but not water at normal temperatures) to give hydrogen and a metal salt ...
The iron and steel industry is thus very important economically, and iron is the cheapest metal, with a price of a few dollars per kilogram or pound. Pristine and smooth pure iron surfaces are a mirror-like silvery-gray. Iron reacts readily with oxygen and water to produce brown-to-black hydrated iron oxides, commonly known as rust.
When two metals touch each other and water is present, electrolysis occurs. [2] One well known example is the reaction between zinc (Zn) and iron (Fe). Zinc atoms will lose electrons in preference to the iron as they are more electropositive and therefore zinc is oxidized and corrodes. Zn(s)→ Zn 2+ (aq) +2e (oxidation)