An iron object is plated with a coating of cobalt to protect against corrosion. Does the cobalt protect the iron by cathodic protection?

Verified step by step guidance

Step 1: Understand the concept of cathodic protection. Cathodic protection is a technique used to prevent corrosion of a metal by making it the cathode of an electrochemical cell. This is typically achieved by attaching a more easily oxidized 'sacrificial' metal to the metal you want to protect.

Step 2: Identify the standard reduction potentials of iron and cobalt. The standard reduction potential indicates how easily a species gains electrons (is reduced). Metals with higher reduction potentials are less likely to oxidize.

Step 3: Compare the standard reduction potentials of cobalt and iron. If cobalt has a higher reduction potential than iron, it means cobalt is less likely to oxidize compared to iron.

Step 4: Determine if cobalt can act as a sacrificial anode. For cathodic protection, the coating metal should have a lower reduction potential (more negative) than the metal being protected, so it can oxidize preferentially.

Step 5: Conclude whether cobalt provides cathodic protection. If cobalt has a higher reduction potential than iron, it cannot act as a sacrificial anode and thus does not protect iron by cathodic protection.

Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Cathodic Protection

Cathodic protection is a technique used to prevent corrosion of a metal surface by making it the cathode of an electrochemical cell. This is achieved by attaching a more reactive metal, which acts as a sacrificial anode, to the metal that needs protection. In this process, the more reactive metal oxidizes instead of the protected metal, thus reducing the corrosion rate of the latter.

Corrosion Mechanism

Corrosion is the gradual destruction of materials, usually metals, due to chemical reactions with their environment. It often involves the oxidation of the metal, where it loses electrons and forms metal ions. Understanding the specific conditions that lead to corrosion, such as moisture and electrolytes, is crucial for determining effective protective measures.

Noble and Reactive Metals

Metals can be classified based on their reactivity, with noble metals like gold and platinum being less reactive, while metals like iron and zinc are more reactive. In the context of cathodic protection, a more reactive metal (sacrificial anode) is used to protect a less reactive metal (cathode). Cobalt, being less reactive than iron, does not provide cathodic protection; instead, it may corrode itself, leaving the iron vulnerable.

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