Final answer:
Rust, with the chemical formula Fe2O3, is classified as the chemical compound iron(III) oxide. It is the result of iron reacting with oxygen under corrosive conditions, involving chemical changes leading to the distinct red-brown compound known as rust.
Step-by-step explanation:
The chemical formula Fe2O3 represents rust, which is classified as a chemical compound. This substance is specifically an iron oxide where iron is in the +3 oxidation state, also known as iron(III) oxide. Here are three reasons to support this classification:
- Iron(III) oxide is a product of the corrosion of iron, where iron reacts with oxygen in the presence of water or moisture.
- The formula Fe2O3 indicates that the compound consists of two iron (Fe) atoms and three oxygen (O) atoms, which are chemically bonded to each other.
- The substance is characterized by its red-brown appearance, a byproduct of the corrosive process, which is distinctive of rust as seen on corroded metal surfaces.
Rust is an example of a compound resulting from a chemical change because iron undergoes oxidation and bonds with oxygen to form a new substance, which is a chemical property of iron.