Question

Explain why rusting of iron objects is faster in coastal areas than in deserts.

Answer 1

Rusting will occur only in presence of moisture and air. If either moisture or air is not present, then rusting will not occur. Here air is necessary as it provides oxygen. Moisture is necessary as it completes the electrochemical circuit for the redox reaction.

Complete Step by step answer: In coastal areas, humid climate is present. The atmosphere contains moisture in the form of humid air. Thus, in coastal areas, both moisture and air are present abundantly. Hence, in coastal areas, rusting takes place at a faster pace.
However, in deserts, air is usually dry with very small amounts of moisture. This is because in the desert, humidity is very low. Thus, in deserts, only air is present in sufficient quantity, but the moisture is not present in sufficient quantity. Hence, the rate of rusting in deserts is very less.
Hence, the rusting of iron objects is faster in coastal areas than in deserts.
Additional information:
Rusting is not desirable. It decreases the strength of iron and decreases the beauty of monuments made from iron. Rusting of iron pipes and tanks may result in contamination of water with iron oxides which is not good from a health point of view.

Note: Rust contains a mixture of iron oxides. Rust is formed on the surface of iron objects. It is formed through a redox reaction between iron and oxygen in presence of moisture of the atmosphere. Rust is a red flaky layer that can easily break into powder.