Please Help Me!! 1. What does the expression “metals eating each other” as used by the electrician refer to? Explain and give an example.

2. What are the possible electrolytes in the rusted panel?

3. Using the table for electrode potential differences (Figure 2) identify the possible composition of the screws responsible for the corrosion observed in the contact area with the copper wire.

1. Galvanic oxidation. Example is the corrosion of aluminium wires when in contact with copper wires under wet conditions.

2. Rainwater or Damp/moist air

3. Chromium-plated steel screws or stainless steel screws or galvanized steel screws

Explanation:

1. Galvanic oxidation or corrosion occurs when two different metals with different electrode potentials are brought into contact with each other by means of an electrolyte (usually a aqueous solution), such that a redox reaction occurs leading to one metal with the more negative electrode potential (the anode) becoming oxidized, while the other less negative potential (the cathode) is reduced.

In order for galvanic corrosion to occur, three elements are required.

i. Two metals with different corrosion potentials (anode and cathode)

ii. Direct metal-to-metal electrical contact

iii. A conductive electrolyte solution (e.g. water) must connect the two metals on a regular basis.

For example oxidation (corrosion) of aluminium wires when in contact with copper wire under wet conditions.

2. The most likely electrolyte will be rainwater containing dissoved solutes (if the panel is in an exposed part of the house) or damp/moist air.

3. From the table, the most likely screw will be chromium-plated steel screws or stainless steel (made of iron and nickel) screws or galvanized steel (zinc-plated) screws.

All these possible screw components have a more negative electrode potential than copper. Thus they will serve as the anode in a galvanic oxidation with copper.

air quality

poor drinking water

and heavy polution

can lead to poor health

b.final