Question

State two ways to prevent the rusting of iron.

Answer 1

Rusting

• The process in which oxidation of iron takes place due to the presence of water and oxygen to form hydrated ferrous oxide(III), is known as rusting.
• The equation of rusting is given as: $4\mathrm{Fe}\left(\mathrm{s}\right)+3{\mathrm{O}}_2\left(\mathrm{g}\right)+6{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}\left(\mathrm{l}\right)\to 4\mathrm{Fe}{\left(\mathrm{OH}\right)}_3\left(\mathrm{s}\right)$

Two ways to prevent the rusting of iron

1. By galvanizing iron objects, rusting can be prevented. Galvanization is the process of applying a protective coating of zinc over an iron object. It prevents rusting by offering cathodic protection to the iron surface by acting as an anode, due to this, the zinc layer gets corroded instead of the iron.
2. By applying a protective coating of paint, varnish, or waxes on the surface of an iron object, the surface gets protected from the action of oxygen and water. Hence, rusting can be prevented.