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General Chemistry Principles, Patterns, and Applications, 2011

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The Fe 2+ ions produced in the initial reaction are then oxidized by atmospheric oxygen to produce the insoluble<br />

hydrated oxide containing Fe 3+ , as represented in the following equation:<br />

Equation 19.99<br />

4Fe 2+ (aq) + O 2 (g) + (2 + 4x)H 2 O → 2Fe 2 O 3·xH 2 O + 4H + (aq)<br />

The sign <strong>and</strong> magnitude of E° for the corrosion process (Equation 19.98) indicate that there is a strong driving force<br />

for the oxidation of iron by O2 under st<strong>and</strong>ard conditions (1 M H + ). Under neutral conditions, the driving force is<br />

somewhat less but still appreciable (E = 1.25 V at pH 7.0). Normally, the reaction of atmospheric CO2 with water to<br />

form H + <strong>and</strong> HCO3 − provides a low enough pH to enhance the reaction rate, as does acid rain. (For more information<br />

on acid rain, see Chapter 4 "Reactions in Aqueous Solution", Section 4.7 "The <strong>Chemistry</strong> of Acid Rain".)<br />

Automobile manufacturers spend a great deal of time <strong>and</strong> money developing paints that adhere tightly to the car’s<br />

metal surface to prevent oxygenated water, acid, <strong>and</strong> salt from coming into contact with the underlying metal.<br />

Unfortunately, even the best paint is subject to scratching or denting, <strong>and</strong> the electrochemical nature of the corrosion<br />

process means that two scratches relatively remote from each other can operate together as anode <strong>and</strong> cathode,<br />

leading to sudden mechanical failure (Figure 19.18 "Small Scratches in a Protective Paint Coating Can Lead to<br />

the Rapid Corrosion of Iron").<br />

Figure 19.18 Small Scratches in a Protective Paint Coating Can Lead to the Rapid Corrosion of Iron<br />

Saylor URL: http://www.saylor.org/books<br />

Saylor.org<br />

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