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Air, Burning and Rusting

I have been given Homework on the differences and similarities between-

1.Burning and Rusting
2.Burning and Breathing

Aditi K.
Student - Bombay, Maharashtara, India
2004

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An interesting question. So that we do not do all of your homework for you the reply will be vague.

What each of the processes you mentioned involves is oxidation. In a fire, if you have enough heat and temperature, iron will burn. this is a fairly rapid reaction. With rusting, it is a rather slow rate of reaction that can be accelerated with certain conditions, but is still relatively slow. Rust is iron oxide.When you breathe, your body has the ability of removing some of the oxygen from the air which is sent to the cells of the body by attaching to the red blood cells. Your cells then use-consume- the oxygen to continue to live and to function.

James Watts
- Navarre, Florida
2004

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I got a question from my teacher asking what is the similarity between rusting and burning. Would you please help me!

Chrissie

chrissie L [last name deleted for privacy by Editor]
- beijing, China
April 20, 2009

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Hi, Chrissie. I think James Watts just finished answering that question for you.

If you didn't understand the answer, please try to express your question in terms of what was already said rather than starting from zero again -- which is a formula for never moving forward :-)

But in both reactions, oxygen from the air reacts with an object, releases heat (very slowly in the case of rusting), and produces oxide reaction products from the object, like iron oxides or carbon dioxide.

Regards,

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
April 23, 2009