HKDSE CHEMISTRY — A Modern View (Second Edition)

Part III Metals

Chemistry: Chapter 13 Corrosion of metals and their protection

Combined Science (Chemistry Part): Chapter 13 Corrosion of metals and their
protection

Structured questions

Sections 13.113.3
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To investigate the effect of some dissolved substances on the rate of corrosion of iron,
a student set up three test tubes as shown below. 1.0 cm 3 of potassium
hexacyanoferrate(III) solution was added to each tube. After half an hour, the student
inspected the tubes for any signs of rusting.

1 M sodium distilled water 1 M glucose

chloride solution solution
polished iron piece polished iron piece polished iron piece

Tube A Tube B Tube C

(a) Name the structures that sodium chloride and glucose have respectively.
(2 marks)

(b) Why should the iron pieces be polished before the experiment? (1 mark)

(c) Suggest how the rates of rusting of the iron pieces can be compared by using the
potassium hexacyanoferrate(III) solution added. (1 mark)

(d) Compare the rates of rusting of the iron pieces in test tubes A, B and C. Explain
your answer. (3 marks)

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(a) Sodium chloride: giant ionic structure 1

Glucose: simple molecular structure 1
(b) To remove any oxide layer on the surface of the iron pieces 1
(c) A deeper blue colour indicates that more Fe2+(aq) ions have been
produced and hence a higher rate of rusting. 1
(d) The iron piece in Tube A would rust the fastest 1
because the presence of soluble salt would speed up the rusting of iron. 1
The iron pieces in Tubes B and C rust at a similar rate because the
presence of glucose in Tube C would not speed up the rusting of iron. 1
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To study whether both water and air are required for rusting, the following set-ups
are used.

anhydrous
calcium chloride oil
distilled
boiled water
cotton wool
distilled water
iron nail iron nail
iron nail

Tube 1 Tube 2 Tube 3

(a) What is the purpose of placing anhydrous calcium chloride above the iron nail in
Tube 1? (1 mark)

(b) What is the purpose of using boiled distilled water in Tube 2? (1 mark)

(c) If the distilled water used in Tube 2 has not been boiled, will the iron nail rust?
Explain your answer. (2 marks)

(d) A few days later, it is observed that rusting occurs in Tube 3.

(i) Explain why we need to wait for a few days to observe whether rusting has
occurred. (1 mark)

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(ii) With the aid of a chemical equation, state ONE observation in Tube 3 after a
few days. (2 marks)

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(a) To remove moisture from the air 1
(b) To ensure that the distilled water does not contain any dissolved oxygen 1
(c) The iron nail would rust 1
as there is some oxygen in unboiled distilled water. 1
(d) (i) Rusting is a slow process. 1
(ii) Some reddish brown solid forms on the iron nail. 1
4Fe(s) + 3O2(g) + 2nH2O(l)  2Fe2O3 • nH2O(s) 1
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A student learnt that air is one of the essential factors for rusting to occur. The student
uses the following set-ups to investigate which component in air is responsible for
rusting.
N2
potassium
oil hydroxide
boiled
cotton wool
distilled water
iron nail
iron nail
iron nail

Set-up 1 Set-up 2 Set-up 3

(a) Suggest how nitrogen and oxygen in air can be separated from air industrially.
(1 mark)

(b) State the purpose of using boiled distilled water in Set-up 2. (1 mark)

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(c) State the purpose of placing potassium hydroxide above the iron nail in Set-up 3.
(1 mark)

(d) Predict, with explanation, which iron nail in the above set-ups would rust.
(2 marks)

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(a) By fractional distillation 1
(b) To ensure that the distilled water does not contain any dissolved oxygen 1
(c) To remove carbon dioxide in air. 1
(d) The iron nail in Set-up 3 would rust. 1
Oxygen and water (moisture) are required for rusting to occur. Only the
iron nail in Set-up 3 is exposed to oxygen and moisture. 1
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Rust is a reddish brown solid with the chemical formula Fe2O3 • nH2O.

(a) What are the essential conditions for rusting to occur? (2 marks)

(b) Write a chemical equation for the rusting of iron. (1 mark)

(c) 6.91 g of a rust sample is heated strongly in a crucible. After heating, 4.73 g of
solid left.
(i) Calculate the value of n in the rust sample. (3 marks)
(Relative atomic masses: H = 1.0, O = 16.0, Fe = 55.8)

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(ii) Suggest ONE source of error in the experiment in (c)(i). (1 mark)

(iii) Hence, calculate the percentage by mass of iron in the rust sample. (2 marks)

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(a) The presence of water 1
and oxygen 1
(b) 4Fe(s) + 3O2(g) + 2nH2O(l)  2Fe2O3 • nH2O(s) 1
(c) (i)
Fe2O3 H2O
Mass (g) 4.73 6.91  4.73 = 2.18
Number of moles
= 0.030 =
of atoms (mol)
0.121
Mole ratio of
=1 = 4.03
atoms
2
∴n=4 1
(ii) Any ONE:
- Not all the water of crystallization has been removed from the
rust sample in the heating process. 1
- The anhydrous iron(III) oxide has absorbed some moisture
from the air during weighing. (1)
(iii) Formula mass of Fe2O3 • 4H2O
= (55.8 × 2 + 16.0 × 7 + 1.0 × 8) g mol1 = 231.6 1

Percentage by mass of iron in the rust = × 100% = 48.2% 1

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Sections 13.413.5
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Galvanizing (zinc-plating) is commonly used to prevent iron from rusting.

(a) Write a chemical equation for the rusting of iron. (1 mark)

(b) Explain how a zinc coating can prevent iron from rusting. (1 mark)

(c) Suggest ONE daily use of galvanized iron. (1 mark)

(d) State and explain whether the exposed parts of iron would rust if the zinc coating
is partly damaged. (2 marks)

(e) Explain whether zinc is suitable for making food cans. (2 marks)

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(a) 4Fe(s) + 3O2(g) + 2nH2O(l)  2Fe2O3 • nH2O(s) 1
(b) The layer of zinc prevents iron from contacting air and water. 1
(c) To make roofs / buckets 1
(d) The exposed parts of iron would not rust. 1
Zinc is more reactive than iron. It would corrode instead of iron. 1
(e) Zinc is not suitable for making food cans 1
as zinc ions are poisonous. 1
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The following figure shows an offshore oil platform.

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sea water
metal

steel leg

sea bed

(a) Would the steel legs of the oil platform rust faster or slower when immersed in
fresh water? Explain briefly. (2 marks)

(b) To protect the steel legs from rusting, metal blocks are attached to them.
(i) Suggest TWO metals which can be used for this purpose. (2 marks)

(ii) Explain how the metals in (b)(i) protect the steel legs from rusting.(2 marks)

(c) Suggest another method that can also be used to protect the steel legs from
rusting. (1 mark)

(d) State and explain whether it is practical to use stainless steel to make the steel
legs. (2 marks)

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(a) Slower 1
Fresh water contains much less salts than sea water. Salt solution speeds
up rusting. 1
(b) (i) Zinc 1
Magnesium 1

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(ii) A metal more reactive than iron loses electrons more readily than
iron. 1
This prevents iron from forming iron(II) ions. 1
(c) Connect the steel legs to the negative terminal of a d.c. power source. 1
(d) It is not practical to use stainless steel to make the steel legs 1
as stainless steel is too expensive. 1
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A student is given three Petri dishes, with Dish X containing a single iron nail, Dish Y
containing an iron nail wrapped with a copper strip and Dish Z containing an iron nail
wrapped with a magnesium ribbon. All dishes contain a gel with a rust indicator.

(a) The rust indicator contains a mixture of potassium hexacyanoferrate(III),

phenolphthalein and sodium chloride.
(i) Write an equation for the formation of iron(II) ions from iron. (1 mark)

(ii) State what would happen to the rust indicator if iron(II) ions are present.
(1 mark)

(b) State and explain the expected observable changes in Dish Z. (3 marks)

(c) State and explain whether the iron nail in Dish X or Dish Y would rust faster.
(2 marks)

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(a) (i) Fe(s)  Fe2+(aq) + 2e 1

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(ii) The potassium hexacyanoferrate(III) in rust indicator would turn blue. 1

(b) A pink colour appears around the shank of the iron nail. 1
Magnesium, being more reactive, loses electrons more readily than iron. 1
Therefore, magnesium ions, instead of iron(II) ions would form.
Hydroxide ions would form during the corrosion of magnesium. 1
(c) The iron nail in Dish Y would rust faster. 1
Copper, being less reactive than iron, causes iron to lose electrons more
readily. 1
This speeds up the rusting of the iron nail.
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The following set-up is used to observe the rusitng of iron using rust indicator, which
is a mixture of potassium hexacyanoferrate(III) solution, phenolphthalein and sodium
chloride solution. After some time, some blue colours and pink colours appear in the
dish.

iron nail
gel containing
rust indicator

(a) State TWO essential conditions for rusting to occur. (2 marks)

(b) Write a chemical equation for the rusting of iron. (1 mark)

(c) Name the ion that is responsible for the appearance of the pink colour. (1 mark)

(d) Sketch, on the diagram, the regions that appear blue after some time. (2 marks)

(e) What is the purpose of putting the rust indicator into a gel? (1 mark)

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(a) Water 1
Air (oxygen) 1
(b) 4Fe(s) + 3O2(g) + 2nH2O(l)  2Fe2O3 • nH2O(s) 1
(c) Hydroxide ions 1
(d)

regions that
appear blue

Correct indication of the blue colour around the head and tip 1
Correct indication of the blue colour around the bent area 1
(e) To provide a medium for the ion movement but to prevent the spread of
the colour of the indicator. 1
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Three metal nails were placed separately in gel containing potassium
hexacyanoferrate(III) solution and sodium chloride solution, and allowed to stand in
air for some time.

iron nail
magnesium iron nail
coated
nail wrapped
with tin
with copper

Dish 1 Dish 2 Dish 3

(a) State and explain what would be observed in Dish 1. (2 marks)

(b) There was no observable change in Dish 2. A student stated that the metal in
Dish 2 did not corrode. Comment on the statement. (2 marks)

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(c) (i) State and explain what would be observed in Dish 3. (2 marks)

(ii) State what would happen if the copper wire is replaced by a silver wire.
(1 mark)

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(a) There would be no observable change 1
because the layer of tin prevents iron from contacting air and water. 1
(b) The statement is incorrect.
Magnesium, being more reactive, loses electrons more readily than iron. 1
However, the magnesium ions formed would not turn the potassium
hexacyanoferrate(III) solution blue. 1
(c) (i) Blue colour appeared at the head and the tip of the nail. 1
Iron, being more reactive, loses electrons more readily than copper. 1
The iron(II) ions formed would turn the potassium
hexacyanoferrate(III) solution blue.
(ii) The blue area is larger. 1
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Tin-plated iron cans are usually used to store food.

(a) Which metal, tin or iron, is at a higher position in the reactivity series? (1 mark)

(b) Describe how the tin coating protects iron from rusting. (1 mark)

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(c) Explain why it is not advisable to consume the food stored in a damaged tin-
plated iron can. (3 marks)

(d) Explain why galvanized zinc should NOT be used to make food cans. (1 mark)

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(a) Iron 1
(b) The layer of tin protects iron from rusting by preventing it from
contacting air and water. 1
(c) When a tin-plated iron can is damaged, the iron underneath will rust faster 1
as iron loses electrons more readily than tin. 1
The rust formed may contaminate the food inside the can. 1
(d) Zinc ions are poisonous. 1
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(a) Explain how iron is prevented from rusting in the following cases.
(i) The steel legs in piers are connected to the negative terminal of a d.c. power
source. (2 marks)

(ii) Zinc blocks are attached to the hull of a ship. (2 marks)

(iii) Paper clips are coated with plastic. (1 mark)

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(b) Suggest how the following iron-made objects should be prevented from rusting.
(i) Traffic signs (1 mark)

(ii) Electric kettles (1 mark)

(iii) Bicycle chains (1 mark)

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(a) (i) The negative terminal of the d.c. power source supplies electrons 1
and prevents the iron in the steel legs from losing electrons. 1
(ii) Zinc is more reactive than iron and loses electrons more readily than
iron. 1
Thus, iron is prevented from forming Fe2+ ions. 1
(iii) The plastic layer prevents iron from contacting air and water. 1
(b) (i) Painting 1
(ii) Alloying 1
(iii) Greasing 1
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An iron-made object can be prevented from rusting when it is connected to the
negative terminal of a d.c. power source.

(a) Name this method of rust prevention. (1 mark)

(b) Explain how this method can prevent iron from rusting. (2 marks)

(c) Suggest ONE iron-made object that uses this method to prevent rusting. (1 mark)

(d) Suggest ONE disadvantage of using this method to prevent rusting. (1 mark)

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##
(a) Cathodic protection 1
(b) The d.c. power source supplies electrons to the iron-made object
connected to the negative terminal of the power source. 1
This prevents iron from losing electrons to form iron(II) ions. 1
(c) Car body / underground water pipeline / storage tank / steel pier leg 1
(d) This method is not applicable to many objects. 1
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Stainless steel is an alloy of iron. It is produced by mixing chromium and other
elements with iron.

(a) Other than iron and chromium, state ONE metal that could be found in stainless
steel. (1 mark)

(b) Explain why stainless steel is corrosion resistant. (2 marks)

(c) Compared with tin-plating, state the advantage of using stainless steel to prevent
iron from rusting. (3 marks)

(d) Suggest ONE use of stainless steel in daily life. (1 mark)

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(a) Nickel / manganese 1

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(b) There is a layer of chromium(III) oxide formed on the surface. 1

The oxide layer protects the iron from contacting air and water. 1
(c) Tin is less reactive than iron. When the tin-plated iron object is scratched,
the iron object would lose electrons more readily and rust more quickly. 1
However, when a stainless steel object is scratched, the object is still
corrosion resistant. 1
This is because chromium reacts with water and air more readily than iron. 1
(d) Making cookware / cutlery 1
(Accept other reasonable answers.) ___
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Sections 13.613.7
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A student was given a piece of aluminium foil.

(a) Name an aluminium ore that can be found in the Earth’s crust. (1 mark)

(b) Suggest a method to extract aluminium from its ore. (1 mark)

(c) The student stated that aluminium is corrosion resistant as it is at a very low
position in the reactivity series. Comment on the statement. (3 marks)

(d) Name a method that can enhance the corrosion resistance of aluminium. (1 mark)

(e) Suggest TWO daily uses of aluminium. (2 marks)

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(a) Bauxite 1
(b) Electrolysis of molten bauxite 1

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(c) The statement is incorrect. 1

There is a thin but tough oxide layer on its surface. 1
This oxide layer is impermeable to air and water and hence protects the
aluminium underneath from further corrosion. 1
(d) Anodization 1
(e) Any TWO:
- making overhead power cables 1
- making aircraft bodies 1
- as kitchen foil (1)
- making soft drink cans (1)
- making window frames (1)
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The outer casing of the portable music player below is made of aluminium. The
corrosion resistance of aluminium can be enhanced by anodization.

(a) Explain why aluminium is resistant to corrosion. (2 marks)

(b) Write the equation for the anodization of aluminium. (1 mark)

(c) Suggest ONE advantage of anodized aluminium over pure aluminium. (1 mark)

(d) Suggest another way to make aluminium more resistant to corrosion. (1 mark)

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(e) Besides making the outer casing of portable music player, suggest another use of
anodized aluminium. (1 mark)

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(a) When aluminium is exposed to air, a thin but tough layer of aluminium
oxide forms on its surface. 1
This layer is impermeable to air and water and hence protect the
aluminium underneath from further corrosion. 1
(b) 2Al(s) + 3H2O(l)  Al2O3(s) + 3H2(g) 1
(c) It can be dyed easily. 1
(d) To alloy aluminium with other elements 1
(e) Making window frames / milk caps / packaging of food 1
(Accept other reasonable answers)
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