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SingaporeChemistryQuick questions
Metals and the Reactivity Series
Quick questions on Iron, steel and corrosion explained: O-Level Chemistry
5short Q&A pairs drawn directly from our worked dot-point answer. For full context and worked exam questions, read the parent dot-point page.
What is the conditions needed for rusting?Show answer
Rusting is the corrosion of iron (and steel). Experiments using iron nails in different conditions show that both water and oxygen (from the air) must be present for iron to rust:
What is sacrificial protection?Show answer
Sacrificial protection uses a more reactive metal to protect the iron. Blocks of a more reactive metal such as zinc (or magnesium) are attached to the iron object (for example a ship's hull or an underground pipe). Because the attached metal is more reactive, it loses electrons and corrodes in preference to the iron, so the iron does not rust. The reactive metal is "sacrificed" and replaced when it wears away.
What is q1?Show answer
State the two conditions necessary for iron to rust. [1 mark]
What is q2?Show answer
Explain why zinc, rather than copper, is used to sacrificially protect an iron object. [2 marks]
What is q3?Show answer
Explain why steel is used instead of pure iron for car bodies. [2 marks]
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