Write the complete chemical reaction of rusting of iron.

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Solution

At anode, Fe is oxidised to Fe(II) ions and at cathode oxygen is reduced to water. The overall reaction is
$2 F e (s) + O_{2} (g) + 4 H^{+} (a q) \to 2 F e^{2 +} (a q) + 2 H_{2} O (l)$
Fe(II) ions are further oxidised to Fe(III) ions.
$4 F e^{2 +} (a q) + O_{2} (g) + 4 H^{+} (a q) \to 4 F e^{3 +} (a q) + 2 H_{2} O (l)$
Fe(III) ions form an insoluble hydrated oxide which is deposited as red brown material called rust.
$2 F e^{3 +} (a q) + 4 H_{2} O (l) \to F e_{2} O_{3} H_{2} O (s) + 6 H^{+} (a q)$

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