Question

'If the zinc coating is broken, the galvanized object remains protected against rusting because zinc is more reactive than iron.' Does this tell us that some less reactive element's coating (if broken) will not provide the required protection (against rusting) ?

Answer 1

'If the zinc coating is broken, the galvanised object remains protected against rusting because zinc is more reactive than iron. This means zinc undergoes oxidation and it forms zinc oxide which protects the iron. But if less reactive metal is coated and is broken definitely the exposed more reactive metal undergoes oxidation and is rusted. So it will not provide the required protection.