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Difficulty: EasyCorrosion of Metals and Prevention Methods

Galvanizing protects iron from rusting by coating it with zinc, which acts as a sacrificial anode because zinc is more electropositive than iron.

Answer: Answer

Answer

The statement is True. Zinc is more electropositive than iron and acts as a sacrificial anode to prevent rusting.
Zinc has a higher oxidation potential than iron. During exposure to atmospheric moisture and oxygen, zinc corrodes preferentially, sacrificing itself to prevent the oxidation of iron.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the relative positions of zinc and iron in the reactivity/electrochemical series.
Zinc is more electropositive (more reactive) than iron.
Metals higher in the reactivity series lose electrons more easily.
2
Analyze the mechanism of galvanization.
Zinc oxidizes preferentially to form zinc ions (Zn2+Zn^{2+}) while protecting iron from oxidation (Fe2+Fe^{2+}).
The more reactive metal serves as a sacrificial anode in an electrochemical corrosion cell.

Key Concept

Galvanization and Sacrificial Protection
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Topics

Corrosion of Metals and Prevention Methods

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