Question

Which answer best describes what is happening in the following redox reaction?

Answer 1

Answer:

Iron is oxidized to form rust.

Explanation:

Consider the reaction; 4Fe + 302------>2Fe2O3, we can see that iron is being oxidized to iron III oxide. Rust is the common name of iron III oxide.

Rusting is an electrochemical process, iron rusts when it comes into contact with air and water because electrochemical cells are set up at the surface of contact.

Iron usually functions as the anode in the electrochemical process. This process leads to the formation of iron III oxide. Rust is soft and breaks off easily thereby exposing the metal below the surface to further rusting.