Why does iron does not burn but iron filings burns?
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The rate of the reaction between iron and air is proportional to surface area of the iron exposed to air.Once heated to ignition temperature, the small particle has a relatively large surface area for reaction.
For burning to occur, the surface in contact with the air must be heated to its ignition temperature. The mass of a small particle is such that the entire particle can be heated to ignition temperature.
An iron rod will not burn as it has relatively very less surface area per unit mass but iron filings with more surface area per unit mass can burn in air and get converted to iron oxide.
Hope I answered your question.
For burning to occur, the surface in contact with the air must be heated to its ignition temperature. The mass of a small particle is such that the entire particle can be heated to ignition temperature.
An iron rod will not burn as it has relatively very less surface area per unit mass but iron filings with more surface area per unit mass can burn in air and get converted to iron oxide.
Hope I answered your question.
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