Copper Corrosion

trophyhunter1 When copper or iron
combine with oxygen, this process is known as oxidation. Another term is corrosion. These
metals, along with aluminum over time corrode and lose strength, conductivity and luster. With
iron, reddish flakes form when it rusts. The chemical equation in words is-- iron plus water
plus oxygen forms rust. In symbols, it is 4(Fe)+ 6 H2O+ 3 O2 forms 4Fe(0H)3 which is rust.
Copper reacting with oxygen will produce copper oxide. The chemical equation is4Cu+ 02 forms
2Cu20. In other words, copper plus oxygen forms copper oxide.]]>