Give reasons why copper is used to make hot water tanks and not steel (an alloy of iron).
Give reasons why copper is used to make hot water tanks and not steel (an alloy of iron).
Copper does not react with cold water, hot water, or steam. However, iron reacts with steam. If the hot water tanks are made of steel (an alloy of iron), then iron would react vigorously with the steam formed from hot water.
$\underset{\text{ Iron }}{\mathop{3Fe}}\,\,+\underset{\text{ Steam }}{\mathop{\,4{{H}_{2}}O}}\,\,\to \underset{\text{ Iron(II, III) oxide }}{\mathop{\,F{{e}_{3}}{{O}_{4}}}}\,\,+\underset{\text{ Hydrogen }}{\mathop{\,4{{H}_{2}}}}\,$
That is why copper is used to make hot water tanks, and not steel.
Similar Questions
What chemical process is used for obtaining a metal from its oxide ?
What chemical process is used for obtaining a metal from its oxide ?
Which of the following methods is suitable for preventing an iron frying pan from rusting ?
Which of the following methods is suitable for preventing an iron frying pan from rusting ?
What are alloys ?
What are alloys ?
State two ways to prevent the rusting of iron.
State two ways to prevent the rusting of iron.
Write equations for the reactions of
$(i)$ iron with steam
$(ii)$ calcium and potassium with water
Write equations for the reactions of
$(i)$ iron with steam
$(ii)$ calcium and potassium with water