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Yes, When metal rusts, it goes through the process of oxidization. Fe becomes FeO, or was it FeO2, but the point is, the mass per compound gets heavier. Yes, rusting is a chemical oxidation reaction. The metal in this case iron is combined with oxygen creating some iron oxide such as Fe3O4. Since the molecular weight of this molecule is greater than that of the pure iron the mass of the object will have increased. The above answer is incomplete. Actually, rust is hydrated ferric oxide. The entire surface of a rusted object gets covered with hydrated iron(III) oxide in the form of brown flakes.

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16y ago

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The mass of rust (iron oxide) is greater than that of powdered iron because rust forms when iron is exposed to oxygen and moisture, leading to the addition of oxygen atoms to the iron. This increase in mass is due to the combination of iron with oxygen in the rusting process.

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AnswerBot

10mo ago
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Rust is an oxidation reaction between iron and oxygen from the atmosphere. Because the reaction adds oxygen from the atmosphere to the iron of the nail, a rusty nail will weigh more than an non-rusty one.

The primary reaction is:

4Fe + 3O2 --> 2Fe2O3

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Wiki User

11y ago
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The iron binds itself to oxygen. The iron and the oxygen together have a larger mass than the iron itself. Fe+O-->FeO.

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13y ago
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The rust gained oxygen

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14y ago
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This is because a new compound is formed.

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8y ago
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Q: Why is the mass of rust greater than that of powdered iron?
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Explain why the mass of a rusted nail would be greater than the mass of the nail before it rusted Assume that all the rust is still attatched to the nail?

When a nail rusts, iron in the nail reacts with oxygen in the air to form iron oxide (rust), which has a greater mass than iron alone. As a result, the overall mass of the nail increases when it rusts because the mass of the iron in the nail combines with the mass of the oxygen in the air to form iron oxide.


Why does powdered iron rust?

Powdered iron rusts more easily because the increased surface area allows for greater exposure to oxygen and moisture, which are the primary causes of rusting. The smaller particles of powdered iron have a larger surface area compared to solid iron, leading to a faster reaction with oxygen and water.


What happens to the mass of an iron gate when it rusts?

When iron rusts, it forms iron oxide, which has a greater volume than iron. This expansion can cause the gate to appear thicker and heavier, even though the mass remains the same. Over time, the rust can weaken the integrity of the gate, leading to structural damage.


Why does rust weigh more than original powdered iron?

Rust is iron oxide, which is made up of iron and oxygen atoms. When iron reacts with oxygen to form rust, it increases in weight because it has gained oxygen atoms. This increase in weight is why rust weighs more than the original powdered iron.


Why does a rusty nail weigh more than the original nail?

A rusty nail does not weigh more than the original nail; the rust simply adds mass to the original nail. When iron in a nail oxidizes and forms rust, the rust increases the overall weight of the nail without changing its original weight.