Question

what happens during rusting of an iron nail? (1 point)
○ sulfur, iron, and oxygen combine to form iron sulfoxide.
○ iron and sulfur combine to form iron sulfide.
○ iron and oxygen combine to form iron oxide.
○ sulfur and oxygen combine to form a sulfur dioxide coating.

Explanation:

Rusting is the oxidation of iron. Iron (\(Fe\)) reacts with oxygen (\(O_2\)) in the presence of water to form iron oxide (rust, e.g., \(Fe_2O_3\)). The first option involves sulfur (not in rusting), the second is iron - sulfur reaction (not rusting), the fourth involves sulfur (not in rusting). Only the third option describes iron - oxygen combination to form iron oxide, matching rusting.

Answer:

Iron and oxygen combine to form iron oxide.