explain briefly the chemical process of rusting
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The Chemical Reaction That Forms Rust
It occurs in moist air and in water. Rust requires three chemicals to form: iron, oxygen, and water. Because of the electrochemical nature of the reaction, dissolved electrolytes in water aid the reaction. Rust occurs more quickly in saltwater than in pure water, for example
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How Rust and Corrosion Work
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Rusty chains next to non-rusty chains.
PhotoStock-Israel / Getty Images
by
Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D.
Updated May 04, 2019
Rust is the common name for iron oxide. The most familiar form of rust is the reddish coating that forms flakes on iron and steel (Fe2O3), but rust also comes in other colors, including yellow, brown, orange, and even green! The different colors reflect various chemical compositions of rust.
Rust specifically refers to oxides on iron or iron alloys, such as steel. Oxidation of other metals has other names. There is tarnish on silver and verdigris on copper, for example.
The Chemical Reaction That Forms Rust
Although rust is considered the result of an oxidation reaction, it's worth noting not all iron oxides are rust. Rust forms when oxygen reacts with iron but simply putting iron and oxygen together isn't sufficient. Although about 20 percent of air consists of oxygen, rusting doesn't occur in dry air. It occurs in moist air and in water. Rust requires three chemicals to form: iron, oxygen, and water.
iron + water + oxygen → hydrated iron(III) oxide
This is an example of an electrochemical reaction and corrosion. Two distinct electrochemical reactions occur:
There is anodic dissolution or oxidation of iron going into aqueous (water) solution:
2Fe → 2Fe2+ + 4e-
Cathodic reduction of oxygen that is dissolved into water also occurs