why does a nail rusts quickly in tap water rather than in letting it stand on shelf?

Question

help

Answer 1

it's called oxidation. There is plenty of oxygen in the air; however, much more in by percentage in a volume to volume comparison. With constant contact from the water it rusts much quicker. Now can you tell me why salt water would rust metal quicker than fresh water?

Answer 2

Iron rusts due to the presence of Oxygen. The oxygen in air typically O2. Since both molecule of Oxygen have the same electromagnet pull, the electrons are evenly distributed and thus no polarity or charge occurs.

However water is H2O and compared with O, Hydrogen has a very weak pull on the electrons. This means the electrons are going to be pulled to the side of O, creating a polar compound. The hydrogens are pushed closer towards each other and they form the positive end and the O forms the negative end. In this state, the oxygen is more reactive.

Water also dissolves many other compounds including carbon dioxide. The water and CO2 ionically bond, producing a weak carbonic acid and also becoming more electrolytic. A few of the H2O separate into O- and H+. Fe+ is highly attracted to O- and they bond. This Fe2O3 is Iron Oxide or rust.

Answer 3

The metal that makes up a nail needs water in order go through a chemical reaction and oxidize (rust). Since there is more water in liquid water that there is water vapor in the air, a nail rusts a lot faster in tap water.

Answer 4

Rusting is the formation of Iron oxide and is helped by an acidic environment. The rate of formation of rust depends on amount of acid and the strength of the acidity in the environment to which the iron is exposed to. There is some amount of acidity in air due to the humidity in the air. However, tap water is more acidic than that because of the various chemicals in the water.

For a detailed chemical explanation of the rusting process, see http://www.madsci.org/posts/archives/apr2000/955666446.Ch.r.html

Answer 5

In order to rust a nail it requires water and oxygen so in water it rests quickly than if u keep it on the shelf or in the oil...,,,,,,,,,,,,

Answer 6

Because for iron to rust you need water and oxygen - both contained in tap water.

Answer 7

The chemicals and impurities in tap water aid in the rusting process, as opposed to boiled water where some of the chemicals and impurties evaporated during the boiling process.

Answer 8

As you have already hear it is the mixture of water and oxygen. What people don't realize is that oxygen is one of the worst corrosives known. Which explains why we are mortals! we depend on a corrosive for our lives.

Answer 9

It's called oxidation.