Topic: Electrolytic and galvanic cells, electrode potentials· Redox Reactions and Electrochemistry

Zinc can be coated on iron to produce galvanized iron but the reverse is not possible. It is because

1. zinc has lower melting point than iron

2. zinc has lower negative electrode potential than iron

3. zinc has higher negative electrode potential than iron

4. zinc is lighter than iron

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Answer: 3. zinc has higher negative electrode potential than iron

Key idea: a more electropositive metal can protect a less electropositive one.

Zinc has a higher negative electrode potential (\(E^\circ=-0.76\) V) than iron (\(-0.44\) V), so zinc is oxidised more easily. Even if the coating cracks, zinc corrodes first and protects iron (sacrificial protection). Iron, being less active, cannot protect zinc, so coating iron on zinc does not help.

Doubtly AI · 30 Oct 2026 AI-generated · not yet verified Report

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Zinc can be coated on iron to produce galvanized iron but the reverse is not possible. It is because

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