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Rust on weathered rocks is caused by _____.

saltation
oxidation
hydrolysis
abrasion

User Dan Brooke
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2 Answers

4 votes

Answer: The correct answer is oxidation.

Step-by-step explanation:

Rust is a reddish-brown colored compound which is formed by the oxidation of Iron to form ferric oxide. The formula for this chemical compound is
Fe-2O_3

Oxidation is defined as the reaction in which addition of oxygen takes place.

The reaction for the formation of rust is given by the equation, we get:


4Fe(s)+3O_2(g)\rightarrow 2Fe_2O_3(s)

By Stoichiometry,

4 moles of iron metal reacts with 3 moles of oxygen gas to form 2 moles of ferric oxide.

Hence, the correct answer is oxidation.

User Mariz Melo
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7 votes
Rust on weathered rocks is caused by the process of oxidation. Oxidation is a process of chemical weathering that occurs when oxygen combines with minerals in rocks. rust occurs when oxygen combines with iron in rocks to form the reddish brown iron oxide.
User David Florez
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