Question

Is rusting of iron a combustion process? Give reason for your answer

Answer 1

Combustion is a chemical process in which a substance reacts with oxygen and givesout energy during the process in the form of either heat or light or both. Rusting of ironis an exothermic process as heat is released during rusting. Hence, it is a kind of slowcombustion.

Answer 2

Rusting is only oxidation, it is not combustion at all. Combustion is rapid oxidation by oxygen with the liberation of heat. Rusting is a process of slow oxidation of iron by atmospheric oxygen in the presence of moisture.

Combustion, respiration and rusting are among the earliest instances of oxidation in which chemists took interest.