An iron fence is left unpainted, and it reacts with the oxygen in the air, forming rust. The formation of rust is an oxidation-reduction reaction, but it is also an example of a(n) _________ reaction
My answer is synthesis
is this correct?
While synthesis is a type of chemical reaction, it is not the correct term to describe the reaction when iron rusts. The correct term to describe the reaction when iron rusts is actually an oxidation-reduction reaction or a redox reaction.
To explain how to arrive at this answer, let's break down the process step by step:
1. First, we must understand the basic components of the reaction. In this case, we have iron (Fe) and oxygen (O2).
2. To determine the type of reaction, we examine how the valence state of the iron is changing. In the case of rusting, iron loses electrons, and its valence state increases from 0 to +2 or +3. This process is known as oxidation.
3. Simultaneously, oxygen gains electrons and its valence state decreases from 0 to -2. This process is known as reduction.
4. Since both oxidation and reduction occur simultaneously, this reaction is classified as an oxidation-reduction or redox reaction.
Hence, the correct answer is an oxidation-reduction reaction (redox reaction) when iron rusts, not a synthesis reaction.