Chemistry / Unit 11 Chem 2222 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Cathodic Protection: Sacrificial Anode Principle
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The idea
Cathodic protection connects a metal needing protection to a more easily oxidized metal, so the second corrodes preferentially as sacrificial anode, the protected metal staying cathode.
In practice
Zinc blocks on a ship's steel hull corrode in the steel's place, since zinc has a more negative reduction potential.
Where people slip
A sacrificial anode must oxidize more easily than what it protects, or it wastes uselessly.
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