Lesson Worksheet: Rusting Chemistry • 10th Grade

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In this worksheet, we will practice explaining the conditions necessary for rusting and practice writing balanced equations for the key reactions involved.

Q1:

When an iron nail reacts with oxygen and water in the air, it rusts. What happens then to the total mass of the nail?

  • AIt stays the same.
  • BIt decreases.
  • CIt increases.

Q2:

What is the name of the most abundant oxide produced by the rusting of iron?

  • AIron(IV) oxide
  • BIron(II) oxide
  • CIron(V) oxide
  • DIron(I) oxide
  • EIron(III) oxide

Q3:

Acid rain is produced when sulfur dioxide in the atmosphere reacts with water to form sulfuric acid. Increasing the acid concentration in rain causes an exposed iron surface to rust more quickly. Which of the following is not a mechanism by which dissolved acid accelerates rusting?

  • AHydrogen ions react with iron and oxygen to form iron ions.
  • BMetallic iron is made more soluble by a decrease in pH.
  • CThe products of rusting are made more soluble by a decrease in pH.
  • DHydrogen ions react with protective surface coatings.
  • EDissolved ions increase the conductivity of water.

Q4:

In which of the following environments would rusting of a steel plate occur most rapidly?

  • AOcean floor
  • BRain forest
  • CFrozen soil
  • DRiver bed
  • EDesert

Q5:

Two sealed iron tanks, 𝐴 and 𝐵, contain identical volumes of water at room temperature. Tank 𝐴 contains water that was boiled before being placed in the tank, while the water in tank 𝐵 was not boiled. How and why does the rate of rusting differ between the two tanks?

  • AThe rate of rusting is lower in tank 𝐴 as boiling of water reduces the amount of dissolved salt.
  • BThere is no difference in the rate of rusting.
  • CThe rate of rusting is lower in tank 𝐴 as boiling of water reduces the amount of dissolved oxygen.
  • DThe rate of rusting is higher in tank 𝐴 as boiling of water increases the amount of dissolved oxygen.
  • EThe rate of rusting is higher in tank 𝐴 as boiling of water reduces the amount of dissolved salt.

Q6:

Rusting of iron is an example of a redox reaction. The rate of rusting of iron in water varies with increasing salt concentration.

Which particles are removed from a metal during an oxidation reaction?

  • AElectrons
  • BNeutrons
  • CProtons
  • DHydrogen atoms
  • EOxygen atoms

How and why does the rate of rusting of iron in water vary with increasing salt concentration?

  • AThe rate increases because dissolved ions aid the decay of metal nuclei.
  • BThe rate increases because dissolved ions aid the movement of electrons.
  • CThe rate decreases because dissolved ions aid the ionization of water.
  • DThe rate increases because dissolved ions react with the metal atoms.
  • EThe rate decreases because dissolved ions react with dissolved oxygen.

Which term best describes the role of the salt solution in the rusting process?

  • AAcid
  • BElectrolyte
  • CBase
  • DOxidizing agent
  • EReducing agent

Q7:

Iron(III) hydroxide is a key product of rusting in humid conditions. This solid material forms from dissolved Fe3+ ions, which in turn are formed from solid iron. The reactions involve water, hydrogen ions (H)+, and oxygen molecules. Each step of the reaction can be represented using a net ionic equation, which is balanced based on the total charge on the two sides of the equation being equal.

Including state symbols, give a balanced net ionic equation for the formation of Fe3+ ions from metallic iron and dissolved hydrogen ions and oxygen molecules.

  • A4Fe()+12H()+3O()4Fe()+3HO()saqaqaql+23+2
  • B4Fe()+12H()+3O()4Fe()+6HO()saqaqaql+23+2
  • C2Fe()+4H()+O()2Fe()+2HO()saqaqaql+23+2
  • D4Fe()+6H()+3O()4Fe()+3HO()saqaqaql+23+2
  • E2Fe()+6H()+O()2Fe()+3HO()saqaqaql+23+2

Including state symbols, give a balanced net ionic equation for the formation of iron(III) hydroxide from Fe3+ ions and water molecules.

  • AFe()+6HO()Fe(OH)()+6H()3+232aqlsg
  • B2Fe()+3HO()2Fe(OH)()+3H()3+23+aqlsg
  • C2Fe()+6HO()2Fe(OH)()+3H()3+232aqlsg
  • DFe()+3HO()Fe(OH)()+6H()3+23+aqlsaq
  • EFe()+3HO()Fe(OH)()+3H()3+23+aqlsaq

How many hydrogen ions are consumed in total when an atom of iron is converted to iron(III) hydroxide?

Iron(III) hydroxide can be dehydrated to produce a material containing no hydrogen atoms. How many water molecules are removed for every atom of iron in the material?

Q8:

Vehicles on major roads are found to rust much more rapidly in cold wet countries when the temperature is below freezing. Which factor is most directly responsible for this effect?

  • ATemperature
  • BHumidity
  • CpH
  • DSalt
  • EOxygen

Q9:

A steel chain submerged in water is susceptible to rusting. What effect is observed if sodium chloride is added to the water to produce a saturated solution?

  • AThe steel chain reacts to form a chloride salt.
  • BThe steel chain reacts to produce a sodium-iron alloy.
  • CThe steel chain rusts less quickly.
  • DThe steel chain rusts more quickly.
  • ENo rusting takes place.

Q10:

Which of the following is not a role played by water when iron rusts in neutral water?

  • AWater dissolves iron ions.
  • BWater dissolves oxygen gas.
  • CWater is incorporated into the final solid material.
  • DWater reacts with iron to form hydrogen molecules.
  • EWater reacts with oxygen to generate hydroxide ions.

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