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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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15y ago
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5mo ago

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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11y ago

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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12y ago

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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14y ago

The rust gained oxygen

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8y ago

This is because a new compound is formed.

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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.

Related questions

When powdered iron is left exposed to air it rest Y is the mass of the rest is greater than the mass of the powdered iron?

I believe the mass is greater as rust is the combination of iron plus oxygen, similarly the smoke and ash from a fire, if collected, would weigh more than the fuel alone before it was burnt. strange but true. Ask a chemistry boffin to prove the maths.


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 would the mass of a rusted nail would be greater than the mass of the nail before?

The mass of a rusted nail can be greater than the mass of the nail before due to the formation of iron oxide (rust) on its surface. Iron oxide is heavier than iron, so the added weight contributes to the increase in mass. Additionally, the rust layer can trap moisture and other debris, further increasing the overall mass of the nail.


When an object rusts it gains mass.From where does the extra mass come?

When an object rusts, the iron in the object combines with oxygen in the air to form iron oxide (rust), which has a greater mass than the original iron. The extra mass comes from the oxygen molecules in the air that combine with the iron to form rust.


Would a metal object with rust on it have a greater mass than one with out rust?

Yes, a metal object with rust would typically have a greater mass than one without rust. Rust is a combination of iron oxide and usually has a greater density than the original metal, so the rust would add additional mass to the object.


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 a rusty nail weighs more than the original nail?

Rust is iron oxide, a molecule consisting of iron and oxygen. The mass of the iron in the rust molecules comes from the original nail, but the mass of the oxygen has come from the air. When rust forms on iron, the mass of the iron object is increased by the mass of the oxygen that has combined with some of the iron.


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.


Why is the mass of a rusted nail greater than the mass of the nail before it rusted?

When a nail rusts, it undergoes a chemical reaction with oxygen in the air to form iron oxide (rust). This process adds additional mass to the nail in the form of the iron oxide. Therefore, the mass of the rusted nail is greater than the mass of the nail before it rusted.


Why is the mass of a rusted nail greater then the mass of the nail before it rusted?

The nail is iron. Rust is a chemical reaction. 4Fe + 3O2 --> 2Fe2O3 When the nail rusts it becomes chemically bonded to oxygen. This combination is heavier than just iron. Therefore, it gains mass.