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Why do metals not undergo microbial or chemical degradation in the soil?
Wiki User
∙ 9y ago
Metals are not biodegradable because they are metals. The process of biodegradation effectively involves microorganisms eating the material. There are some plastics that are not directly biodegradable but degrade due to exposure to the UV radiation in sunlight (e.g. many garbage bags are made this way now so they will come apart in the landfill before being buried).
Biodegradable materials are usually organic (i.e. they come from a plant or animal). And as such there is a whole host of organisms capable of reducing these materials and using them for their own purposes.
Metals are basically composed mostly of a single element like iron, gold or aluminum, they cannot be broken down any further than they actually are.
Though metals can be corroded by reactions with other compounds, for example iron rusting in the presence of water and oxygen and often produce salts that are used by animals, plants and other organisms, there are now few organisms (except in deep sea hydrothermal vents) capable of eating metals. On the early earth (about 3 billion years ago) before there was oxygen in the atmosphere there were many bacteria that could eat metals, sulfur, etc., but most of these were killed by the rising oxygen levels in the atmosphere.
Wiki User
∙ 9y ago
Wiki User
∙ 8y agoSeveral metals (copper, iron) can be corroded in the soil.
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How does the reactivity of metals affect how you use them?
Reactivity of metals is an important characteristics that is used almost in all electrochemical cells.Some metals such as copper, aluminum, iron etc can undergo rapid red-ox reaction in a chemical cell. On the other hand, certain metals such as platinum and gold, also known as inert electrodes have very low reactivity.
Do all metals react the same way?
Metals all tend to lose electrons when they react, but aside from that there is a wide variety in the reacts metals undergo.
The ability for metals to rust is a physical property of metals?
No, since rust is a chemical change (oxidation).
Does sulphuric acid melt metal?
No. Sulfuric acid oxidizes metals to produce sulfates. Melting is a process tha metals undergo when heated.
What minerals rust?
When iron combines with oxygen, the product is the reddish- brown rust which has the chemical formula Fe2O3. In its mineral form, Fe2O3 is known as hematite.
How are metals and non metals recognized?
Metals have certain features which make them easy to recognize. They have a metallic luster, and they are very good conductors of electricity. They undergo chemical reactions in which they lose electrons. Non metals characteristically do not have a metallic luster, do not conduct electricity very well, and they undergo chemical reactions in which they gain electrons (or in the case of inert gases, they don't undergo any chemical reactions).
What are two metals used in fireworks that undergo a chemical change?
what the heck am i doing on here
What are two examples of metals used in fireworks that undergo a chemical change?
Copper and Magnesium
What are the main causes of the degradation of metals?
water corrosion
Is corrosion a chemical property or chemical change?
Corrosion, or rusting, is the oxidation of a substance, and therefore a chemical reaction. The most well known corrosion is the rusting of iron, in which the iron is oxidised by oxygen. Both metals and non-metals can therefore undergo corrosion, and it can be by any oxidising agent, and therefore not need be oxygen.
Is it true soil is a chemical solution of metals?
Soil is a chemical solution of metals
How does the reactivity of metals affect how you use them?
Reactivity of metals is an important characteristics that is used almost in all electrochemical cells.Some metals such as copper, aluminum, iron etc can undergo rapid red-ox reaction in a chemical cell. On the other hand, certain metals such as platinum and gold, also known as inert electrodes have very low reactivity.
Why can't rust form on rubber plastic or even other metals such as aluminum?
Some materials, like iron, when exposed to oxygen, will undergo a chemical reaction and oxidize. Others will not, like plastic.
Do all metals react the same way?
Metals all tend to lose electrons when they react, but aside from that there is a wide variety in the reacts metals undergo.
What are All metals?
All metals are chemical elements.
The ability for metals to rust is a physical property of metals?
No, since rust is a chemical change (oxidation).
Solid metals undergo greater thermal expansion than liquids do?
false
