Q46E Suppose you have three different... [FREE SOLUTION]

Chapter 17: Q46E (page 961)

Suppose you have three different metals, \({\rm{A}}\), \(B\), and \({\rm{C}}\). When metals \({\rm{A}}\) and \(B\) come into contact, \(B\) corrodes and \({\rm{A}}\)do not corrode. When metals \({\rm{A}}\)and \({\rm{C}}\) come into contact, \({\rm{A}}\) corrodes and \({\rm{C}}\) do not corrode. Based on this information, which metal corrodes and which metal does not corrode when \(B\) and \({\rm{C}}\) come into contact?

Expert verified

When \(B\) and \(C\) come into contact,\(B\) will corrode and \(C\) will not.

Metal corrodes when it interacts with another material, such as oxygen, hydrogen, an electrical current, or even dirt and germs.
Corrosion can also occur when metals such assteel are subjected to excessive tension, causing the substance to split.

Since\(B\)corrodes when\(A\)and\(B\)comes into contact and\(A\)does not, it means that\(B\)is more likely to corrode because it has a lower reduction potential.
And because\(A\)corrodes when\(A\)and\(C\)comes into contact and\(C\)does not,\(A\)has a lower reduction potential than\(C\).
So\(C\)has the highest reduction potential,\(B\)the lowest and\(A\)is in between the two.
Once we know that, it is easy to conclude that when \(B\) and \(C\) come into contact, \(B\) will corrode and \(C\) will not.