Is rust a chemical or physical change?

Understand the Problem

The question is asking whether the process of rust formation is classified as a chemical change or a physical change. To understand this, we need to consider the nature of rusting, which involves a reaction between iron, oxygen, and moisture leading to the formation of iron oxide.

More Information

Rusting is the process where iron reacts with oxygen and moisture in the environment, leading to the formation of iron oxides. This process changes the chemical structure of the original material.

Tips

A common mistake is to confuse it with a physical change due to its visible nature. However, a chemical change alters the substance's internal structure, which rusting does.

Sources

• Rust formation as a chemical change - Chemistry Encyclopedia - chemistryexplained.com
• The chemical change when rusting - Science Direct - sciencedirect.com