Chemistry / Unit 11 Chem 2219 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Corrosion as Unwanted Spontaneous Oxidation
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The idea
Corrosion is the unwanted spontaneous oxidation of a metal by its environment, the same galvanic mechanism already built, operating without any intentional circuit design.
In practice
Iron exposed to moist air oxidizes spontaneously to rust, an electrochemical process rather than a direct reaction with oxygen alone.
Where people slip
Students often assume dry iron rusts as readily as wet iron, missing water's electrochemical role.
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