Question

Iron can be protected from rusting by coating with zinc. How does it prevent oxidation of iron?

Answer 1

The oxidation potential of zinc is $+0.78$ V and iron is $+0.44$ V. Since zinc has a greater value of oxidation potential, zinc undergoes oxidation in preference to iron. That means zinc acts as an anode and makes iron to act as a cathode. Thus iron is prevented from rusting.