Rusting, Corrosion and Oxidation

• What happens when Metals react with oxygen

  Metals form metal oxides
• Reaction of metals with oxygen


  Oxidation or corrosion reaction
• Rusting


  Corrosion of iron or steel, which weakens iron and steel structures by forming weak and crumbly iron oxide
• Preventing rusting


  • Coating iron with paint, plastic, etc. acts as a barrier to oxygen and water
• Sodium reacting with oxygen


  Sodium rapidly forms sodium oxide, turning its shiny surface dull
• Metals can oxidize in air
• Some metals, like sodium, are very reactive and oxidize rapidly, while others, like gold, oxidize very slowly or not at all
• Corrosion


  The destruction of a metal by oxidation or chemical action, eg rusting
• Hydrated iron(III) oxide


  The orange-brown substance seen on rusty objects, formed when iron or steel reacts with oxygen and water
• Galvanising

  The process of applying a protective coating to iron or steel, to prevent rusting.