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Zinc is suitable for coating steel roofs because zinc does not react with water. It thus prevents the steel roof from rusting since steel is basically iron plus carbon and it will rust in the presence of oxygen and water. Furthermore, zinc is more reactive than iron, and can thus act as a sacrificial metal and corrode in place of iron, in the event that the zinc coating is damaged and the iron is exposed.
On the other hand, magnesium is an alkaline earth metal and is too reactive. It will react with water to form magnesium hydroxide. (However, this reaction takes place for only a short while because the magnesium hydroxide produced is insoluble and will coat the metal, preventing further reaction between magnesium and water.)
Mg + 2H2O → Mg(OH)2 + H2
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What metallic element is sometimes used in flares and flashbulbs?
Magnesium.
How does the magnesium prevents the steel boiler from rusting?
It will stop rusting because of something called cathode protection. Because the magnesium is more reactive than the steel the electricity need to cause oxidation is drawn to the magnesium leaving the steel unable oxidize. The same principle is used on large ships. I you look at a cruse ship or a tanker you will see large blocks on the outside of the hull that most people think is to keep the side of the ship from hitting when they dock, but they actually protect the hull of the ship in the same way.
How is magnesium used by plants and humans?
Humans need magnesium because it helps maintains the normal nerve and muscle function and keeps the heart rhythm steady. Magnesium is used by plants to produce chlorophyll.
What is megnesium hydroxide used for?
Magnesium hydroxide is used as an antacid and saline laxative.
What is the correct interpretation of the formula MgF2?
The two elements that make up this compound are magnesium and fluorine. Flourine is a halogen and magnesium is an alkaline earth metal. This makes it an ionic compound, so the name would be magnesium fluoride.
What is used to convert steel into stainless steel?
coat
What element is used to coat the steel in food containers?
epoxy resins
Which element is used in the manufacture of shiny metallic trim on vehicles?
Chromium is used to coat steel and plastic with a chrome finish.Chromium
Metal used in aircraft construction?
Aluminum, Steel, Magnesium, Stainless Steel, Titanium, Gold, Silver
Which metal is used to coat the outside of ship hulls?
Steel.
What element id used to coat the steel which is used in food containers?
Tin
What is an alloy of magnesium?
An alloy of Magnesium is a type of steel with Magnesium as the main ingredient. For example, Magnox is 99% Magnesium and 1% Aluminium is a steel used for the cladding of fuel rods in some nuclear power stations. Another alloys with Magnesium contain Aluminium, Zirconium, Silver, Zinc, and the Rare Earth Elements such as Yttrium and Erbium.
Is Zinc as durable as stainless steel?
No steel is more durable. But zinc is usually used to coat steel or other metals because it is resistant to rusting or corrosion.
Do slate roofs use nails?
Generally, stainless steel or copper nails are used to fasten slate shingles to the roof sheathing.
Why does attaching blocks of magnesium to steel pipelines prevent them from rusting?
Magnesium is a stronger reducing agent than iron. The magnesium has a stronger tendency to take up the oxygen to form magnesium oxide than iron. Iron misses out on the oxygen until the magnesium is all used up.
What metal is used in car wheels?
Depending on the type of racing, wheels can be steel, aluminum, magnesium, or carbon fiber
What was used to make the roofs of homes in New Plymouth?
The Pilgrims used thatch roofs in the beginning. But because thatched roofs burned easily, they changed to plank roofs.
