Chapter 18.3, Problem 5RQ

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation: Corrosion and its prevention are to be explained.

Concept Introduction: Corrosion is one of the most common phenomena experienced in daily lives. The iron-made structures after some point of time gets coated with an orange colored or reddish-brown coating. This layer formation is the result of a chemical process called rusting which is a form of corrosion.

Answer to Problem 5RQ

Corrosion of metal is represented by oxidation process. Corrosion is undesirable because due to oxidation the metal it gets corroded permanently and loses its strength and attractiveness. Corrosion is prevented by coating the metal with more reactive metal.

Explanation of Solution

Corrosion is the process through which a metal losses its strength and also its attractiveness.

Corrosion can be prevented by coating that means by protecting the metal from oxygen and moisture. This can be done by applying paint or metal plating on the metal which needs to be protected from corrosion. Cathodic protection is used to prevent corrosion of steel tanks and pipes. In this method, in order to resist oxidation, magnesium metal is connected through a wire. Magnesium resists the iron from being oxidized.

Conclusion

Corrosion is a spontaneous process in which metals become a highly stable chemical substance such as oxides, sulfides, hydroxides, etc.