Question

Suppose you have three different metals, \({\rm{A}}\), \(B\), and \({\rm{C}}\). When metals \({\rm{A}}\) and \(B\) come into contact, \(B\) corrodes and \({\rm{A}}\)do not corrode. When metals \({\rm{A}}\)and \({\rm{C}}\) come into contact, \({\rm{A}}\) corrodes and \({\rm{C}}\) do not corrode. Based on this information, which metal corrodes and which metal does not corrode when \(B\) and \({\rm{C}}\) come into contact?

Short answer

When \(B\) and \(C\) come into contact,\(B\) will corrode and \(C\) will not.

Step-by-step solution

Metal corrosion:

• Metal corrodes when it interacts with another material, such as oxygen, hydrogen, an electrical current, or even dirt and germs.
• Corrosion can also occur when metals such assteel are subjected to excessive tension, causing the substance to split.

Find the metal corrodes:

• Since\(B\)corrodes when\(A\)and\(B\)comes into contact and\(A\)does not, it means that\(B\)is more likely to corrode because it has a lower reduction potential.
• And because\(A\)corrodes when\(A\)and\(C\)comes into contact and\(C\)does not,\(A\)has a lower reduction potential than\(C\).
• So\(C\)has the highest reduction potential,\(B\)the lowest and\(A\)is in between the two.
• Once we know that, it is easy to conclude that when \(B\) and \(C\) come into contact, \(B\) will corrode and \(C\) will not.