9.5

Corrosion

10 flashcards to master Corrosion

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Definition Flip

What are the conditions required for the rusting of iron and steel?

Answer Flip

The rusting of iron and steel requires the presence of both water (H₂O) and oxygen (O₂). Rust is hydrated iron(III) oxide (Fe₂O₃.xH₂O).

Definition Flip

What is a barrier method of preventing rust?

Answer Flip

Barrier methods prevent rust by creating a physical barrier between the iron/steel and the oxygen or water in the environment. Examples include painting, greasing, and coating with plastic.

Key Concept Flip

How does painting prevent rusting?

Answer Flip

Painting prevents rusting by creating an impermeable barrier that excludes oxygen and water from contacting the iron or steel surface. This stops the redox reaction that forms rust.

Key Concept Flip

How does greasing prevent rusting?

Answer Flip

Greasing prevents rusting by forming a water-repellent layer that excludes water and oxygen from contacting the iron or steel. This prevents the electrochemical process of rusting.

Key Concept Flip

How does coating with plastic prevent rusting?

Answer Flip

Coating with plastic provides a non-porous barrier that prevents oxygen and water from reaching the iron or steel surface, thus stopping the formation of rust.

Example: coating pipes.
Definition Flip

What is galvanising?

Answer Flip

Galvanising is a method of rust prevention that involves coating iron or steel with zinc. Zinc acts as both a barrier and provides sacrificial protection.

Key Concept Flip

How does zinc act as a barrier in galvanising?

Answer Flip

Zinc acts as a barrier by physically preventing water and oxygen from reaching the iron or steel surface. This is similar to painting.

Key Concept Flip

Explain sacrificial protection in terms of the reactivity series.

Answer Flip

A more reactive metal will corrode in preference to a less reactive metal. Zinc is more reactive than iron, so in galvanising, the zinc corrodes instead of the iron, sacrificing itself to protect the iron.

Key Concept Flip

Explain sacrificial protection in terms of electron loss.

Answer Flip

Sacrificial protection works because the more reactive metal (

Example: zinc) loses electrons (is oxidised) in preference to the iron. The zinc donates electrons to the iron, preventing the iron from being oxidised and rusting: Zn → Zn²⁺ + 2e⁻
Key Concept Flip

Give an example of sacrificial protection other than galvanising

Answer Flip

Attaching blocks of magnesium to the hull of a ship. Magnesium is more reactive than iron so it corrodes instead of the ship's hull.

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9.4 Uses of metals 10.1 Water

Key Questions: Corrosion

What are the conditions required for the rusting of iron and steel?

The rusting of iron and steel requires the presence of both water (H₂O) and oxygen (O₂). Rust is hydrated iron(III) oxide (Fe₂O₃.xH₂O).

What is a barrier method of preventing rust?

Barrier methods prevent rust by creating a physical barrier between the iron/steel and the oxygen or water in the environment. Examples include painting, greasing, and coating with plastic.

What is galvanising?

Galvanising is a method of rust prevention that involves coating iron or steel with zinc. Zinc acts as both a barrier and provides sacrificial protection.

About Corrosion (9.5)

These 10 flashcards cover everything you need to know about Corrosion for your Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry (0620) exam. Each card is designed based on the official syllabus requirements.

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