What Causes the ‘Rust’ on Old Ships?

Rust is like a little war between the metal and water. When ships are in the ocean, they get wet, and salt from the sea makes things worse. The iron in the ship turns into rust, which makes it look old and tired.

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Examples

A rusty bicycle chain looks old and tired after being left outside all winter.
An iron nail turns red when it’s dropped into a glass of water with some salt.
The bottom of a metal boat turns orangey-red over time, especially in the sea.

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Categories: Science · Chemistry,Corrosion,Marine Science