2007-11-03 21:10:35 · 2 answers · asked by janice r 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
The corrosion of metals, e.g. the rustling of iron:
4 Fe + 3 O2 --> 2 Fe2O3
looks like a simple reaction overall, but in reality takes place by a large number of separate steps, involving conduction of electrons to oxygen molecules on the surface, which eventually get converted to oxide anions. This is called "electrolytic corrosion".
Traces of salt and water greatly speed up this process, because salt water is a good conductor of electricity.
This also explains why it is important to wash underneath a car at the end of winter, if you live where salt is used to de-ice the roads.
2007-11-04 00:47:05 · answer #1 · answered by Facts Matter 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The question doesn't make sense. What is "sen"? If you mean the sea, then the answer is that salt water is more corrosive than fresh water because of the presence of sodium and chloride ions. These charged particles attack the surface of many metallic surfaces.
2007-11-04 00:49:20 · answer #2 · answered by Dennis M 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋