Aluminium is said to be more reactive than iron, towards oxygen (or air).Yet iron undergoes corrosion to a greater extent than aluminium.Explain.

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Solution

Aluminium forms a white colour oxide on exposure to the atmosphere. This white colour oxide prevents it from further corrosion whereas iron reacts with air to form hydrated oxide called rust. So, iron undergoes corrosion to a greater extent.

Aluminum develops a protective layer of aluminum oxide by slowly reacting with oxygen present in air.

After this layer formation , air can't react with aluminum present,hence there is only less corrosion.

In compare , iron can't form protective layer hence it easily gets corroded.

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Similar questions

Q. Aluminium is more reactive than iron but aluminium is less easily corroded than iron because:

Q. Aluminium is much more reactive than iron because its standard reduction potential is higher than iron. Still, aluminium is less easily corroded than iron because :

Give reason

1. Aluminum is more reactive than iron yet there is less corrosion of aluminum as compared to iron when both are exposed to air.

2. Tarnished copper vessels are cleaned with tamrind juice.

(a) Aluminium is a more active metal than iron, but suffers less corrosion. Why?
(b) Explain and give reasons why aluminium vessels should not be cleaned with powders containing alkalis.
(c) Why is the food containing iron salts should not be cooked in aluminium utensils?

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