REDOX Rusting as redox reaction Rusting of iron is corrosion of metal.

Rusting of iron will occur when water and oxygen present. Beside iron, another metal also corrode. Aurum (gold) more resistance to corrosion. What is corrosion of metal? Corrosion of metal is redox reaction in which a metal is oxidized naturally to its ions, resulting in partial or complete destruction of the metal. Identified the following diagram : Water droplet Metal surface
Anode : Fe Fe2+ + 2e

OH-

e e

Fe

2 +

e Cathode : O2 + 2H2O + 4e 4OH-

What is happen when iron metal is rusting?

Remember, oxygen can dissolved in water.

Anode : The surface of iron at the middle of the water droplet [the area where concentration of oxygen in water is low] Cathode: The iron surface at the edge of water droplet [the area where concentration of oxygen in water is high] At anode, iron metal is oxidize to iron (II) ion, Fe2+. Oxidation Half equation : Fe Fe2+ + 2e Electron that has been released will flow by iron ion to the edge of the water droplet, where there is plenty of dissolved oxygen. The iron surface there serves as the cathode. At cathode, oxygen that dissolve in water will gain electron, (reduction) to form hydroxide ion, OH-. Reduction Half equation : O2 + 2H2O + 4e 4OHIron ion and hydroxide ion will combine to form iron(II) hydroxide, Fe(OH)2.

The total ionic equation for the whole reaction; 2Fe + O2 + 2H2O (redox process) 2Fe2+ + 4OH-

The total equation for the reaction; 2Fe + O2 + 2H2O (redox process) 2Fe(OH)2 (*) (solid green)

But rusting colour is brown not green, what will happen ? Ok actually,

Iron (II) hydroxide, Fe(OH)2 quickly oxidize by oxygen in air to form iron(III) oxide, Fe2O3.xH2O that is brown colour. This brown compound is known as rusting.
The equation is as shown below; 2Fe(OH)2 O2 In air Hydrated Iron (III) oxide Fe2O3.xH2O

Value of x refer to no of mol/concentration of water in that area, more higher the value of xmore easier it to rusting.
The rate of rusting process can be increase by: i. Present of strong electrolyte such as salt and acid ii. When iron is in contact with a metal less electropositive

Ok now you know how rusting process is occur. Can you explain this process to your friend?

Try to study this process. [look at the procedure]

Experiment Experiment 1 observation

- solution of gelatin in hot water - a few drops of potassium hexacyanoferrate(III) solution - a few drops of phenolphthalein. Iron nail

Dark blue colour formed in gelatin Inference : Iron nail is bit rusting No Dark blue colour formed in gelatin

Experiment 2

Iron nail

- solution of gelatin in hot water - a few drops of potassium hexacyanoferrate(III) solution - a few drops of phenolphthalein.

magnesium

Pink
colour formed in gelatin Inference : Iron nail is not rusting

!Unexpected End of Formula Experiment 3 A solution of gelatin in hot water contain potassium hexacyanoferrate(III) solution and phenolphthalein.

Iron nail zinc

No Dark blue colour formed in gelatin Pink colour formed in gelatin Inference : Iron nail is not rusting

Experiment 4

A solution of gelatin in hot water contain potassium hexacyanoferrate(III) solution and phenolphthalein.

Iron nail Tin/stanum (Sn)

Dark blue colour formed in gelatin A bit of Pink colour formed in gelatin Inference :

Iron nail is rusting a lot

Experiment 5 A solution of gelatin in hot water contain potassium hexacyanoferrate(III) solution and phenolphthalein.

Iron nail Copper

A lot of Dark blue colour formed in gelatin A bit of Pink colour formed in gelatin Inference : Iron nail is rusting a lot

Tip: Metal

Fe

Fe + Mg None High Plenty

Fe + Zn Fe + Sn Fe + Cu None High Plenty High Low Few High Low Few

Intensity of blue Low colour Intensity of pink None colour Gas bubbles None

Which test tube shows rusting? How do you know? Did you notice, at all test tube is put on a solution of gelatin in hot water contain potassium hexacyanoferrate(III) solution and phenophthalein. What is the function of potassium hexacyanoferrate(III) solution? To detect/test the present of iron(II)ion, Fe2+ ............................................................................................................. What is the function of phenolphthalein? To detect/test the present of hydroxide ion,OH- /alkali properties ............................................................................................................. substances What is the function of test tube in experiment 1? As control experiment to compare the effect of contact of other ............................................................................................................. metal to iron. .............................................................................................................

Situation 1 The metal/iron structure like ships is protected from rusting by fixing bars of zinc to the part of the ship submerged in a water surface. This bars is called sacrificied metal. What metal is suitable to use as sacrificial metal? Aluminium (alloy duralumin), zinc (galvanated) How sacrificial metal protect the iron from rusting? Sacrificial metal undergoes oxidation/corrosion What will occur to sacrificial metal? Sacrificial metalis oxidised

a. b. c.

Situation 2 Kebanyakkan bumbung rumah di kawasan luar bandar merupakan atap besi galvani. Besi galvani dihasilkan dengan menyadur besi dengan selapisan nipis zink. Plan one experiment in lab to show the rusting of iron. Your report must including all this point : i. Problem statement ii. Aim iii. hypothesis iv. variables v. materials and apparatus vi. procedure vii. tabulation of data viii. conclusion