What is the process for rusting of iron with its word equation
What is the process for rusting of iron with its word equation
Rust is the common name for a very common compound, iron oxide. Iron oxide, the chemical Fe2O3, is common because iron combines very readily with oxygen -- so readily, in fact, that pure iron is only rarely found in nature. Iron (or steel) rusting is an example of corrosion
When iron is exposed to water or air over a period of time, the iron reacts with oxygen in the presence of moisture to form a reddish-brown chemical compound, iron oxide. This is referred to as rust. So chemically, rust is hydrated iron(III) oxide or Fe2O3.nH2O. The chemical equation for the same is given by:
4Fe(OH)2 + O2 + xH2O → 2Fe2O3.(x+4)H2O
Iron reacts very readily with oxygen. This is one of the reasons as to why it is rare to find pure iron in nature.
Factors Affecting Rusting
There are several factors that assist and accelerate the process of rusting. Some of them are:
Moisture: Iron exposed to rains is the most common reason.
Acid: It accelerates rusting. When exposed to acid rains, iron rusts faster. On the other hand, alkalis inhibit rusting.
Salt: Iron tends to rust faster in sea, due to the presence of salt.
Impurity: Pure iron rusts slower than the iron mass which contains a mixture of metals.
Rust is the common name for a very common compound, iron oxide. Iron oxide, the chemical Fe2O3, is common because iron combines very readily with oxygen -- so readily, in fact, that pure iron is only rarely found in nature. Iron (or steel) rusting is an example of corrosion
When iron is exposed to water or air over a period of time, the iron reacts with oxygen in the presence of moisture to form a reddish-brown chemical compound, iron oxide. This is referred to as rust. So chemically, rust is hydrated iron(III) oxide or Fe2O3.nH2O. The chemical equation for the same is given by:
4Fe(OH)2 + O2 + xH2O → 2Fe2O3.(x+4)H2O
Iron reacts very readily with oxygen. This is one of the reasons as to why it is rare to find pure iron in nature.
Factors Affecting Rusting
There are several factors that assist and accelerate the process of rusting. Some of them are:
Moisture: Iron exposed to rains is the most common reason.
Acid: It accelerates rusting. When exposed to acid rains, iron rusts faster. On the other hand, alkalis inhibit rusting.
Salt: Iron tends to rust faster in sea, due to the presence of salt.
Impurity: Pure iron rusts slower than the iron mass which contains a mixture of metals.
