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Here's the reactions:

O2 + 4 e- + 2 H2O → 4 OH-

Because it forms hydroxide ions, this process is strongly affected by the presence of acid. Indeed, the corrosion of most metals by oxygen is accelerated at low pH. Providing the electrons for the above reaction is the oxidation of iron that may be described as follows:Fe → Fe2+ + 2 e−

The following redox reaction also occurs in the presence of water and is crucial to the formation of rust:4 Fe2+ + O2 → 4 Fe3+ + 2 O2−

Additionally, the following multistep acid-base reactions affect the course of rust formation:Fe2+ + 2 H2O ⇌ Fe(OH)2 + 2 H+Fe3+ + 3 H2O ⇌ Fe(OH)3 + 3 H+

as do the following dehydration equilibria:Fe(OH)2 ⇌ FeO + H2OFe(OH)3 ⇌ FeO(OH) + H2O2 FeO(OH) ⇌ Fe2O3 + H2O

Basically what is happening is that Iron reacts with water and oxygen in the air, causing those reactions to take place. Rust, generally refers to Ferrium (III) Oxide. Which would be Fe2O3.

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14y ago

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