Skip to main content
Ch.20 - Electrochemistry
Chapter 20, Problem 83

(a) Write the anode and cathode reactions that cause the corrosion of iron metal to aqueous iron(II).

Verified step by step guidance
1
Identify the overall process of iron corrosion, which involves the oxidation of iron metal to iron(II) ions and the reduction of oxygen in the presence of water.
Write the anode reaction, where iron metal (Fe) is oxidized to iron(II) ions (Fe^{2+}). The reaction is: Fe(s) \rightarrow Fe^{2+}(aq) + 2e^{-}.
Write the cathode reaction, which involves the reduction of oxygen in the presence of water. The reaction is: O_2(g) + 4H^+(aq) + 4e^{-} \rightarrow 2H_2O(l).
Combine the anode and cathode reactions to understand the overall redox process occurring during the corrosion of iron.
Consider the environmental conditions, such as the presence of water and oxygen, which facilitate the corrosion process.