Question

Is rusting endothermic or exothermic?

Answer 1

Explanation:

1. The rusting of iron is basically a gradual burning process.
2. It is very exothermic, however, due to the slowness of the process, the heat generated is lost before producing a temperature increase.
3. However, if the iron is dispersed in microscopic particles so that more of its surface comes into touch with oxygen, and the temperature is raised by rigorous friction at the same time, you can see genuine bright burning of iron.

Hence, rusting is exothermic.