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Corrosion and Rancidity Questions in English

Class 10 Science · Chemical Reactions and Equations · Corrosion and Rancidity

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1
MediumMCQ
Oil and fat containing food items are flushed with nitrogen. Why?
A
To prevent oxidation and rancidity
B
To keep the food crispy
C
To increase the weight of the packet
D
To provide a pleasant smell

Solution

(A) Nitrogen is an inert gas and does not easily react with these substances.
On the other hand,oxygen reacts with food substances and makes them rancid.
Thus,bags used in packing food items are flushed with nitrogen gas to remove oxygen inside the pack.
When oxygen is not present inside the pack,rancidity of oil and fat containing food items is avoided.
2
Medium
Explain the term 'Corrosion' with one example.

Solution

(N/A) Corrosion:
Corrosion is defined as a process where materials,usually metals,deteriorate as a result of a chemical reaction with their environment,such as air,moisture,or chemicals.
For example,iron,in the presence of moisture,reacts with oxygen to form hydrated iron oxide.
$4Fe + 3O_2 + nH_2O \to 2Fe_2O_3 \cdot nH_2O$ (Hydrated iron oxide)
This hydrated iron oxide is commonly known as rust.
3
Medium
Explain the term 'Rancidity' with one example.

Solution

(N/A) Rancidity:
The process of oxidation of fats and oils that can be easily noticed by the change in taste and smell is known as rancidity.
For example,the taste and smell of butter changes when kept for a long time.
Rancidity can be prevented by:
$1.$ Storing food in airtight containers.
$2.$ Storing food in refrigerators.
$3.$ Adding antioxidants.
$4.$ Storing food in an environment of nitrogen gas.
4
MediumMCQ
Which of the following gases can be used for the storage of a fresh sample of an oil for a long time?
A
Carbon dioxide or oxygen
B
Helium or nitrogen
C
Carbon dioxide or helium
D
Nitrogen or oxygen

Solution

(B) Oils and fats are prone to rancidity,which is the oxidation of fats and oils when exposed to air.
To prevent this,food items containing oils and fats are often flushed with inert gases.
Nitrogen is an inert gas commonly used to replace oxygen in food packaging to prevent oxidation.
Helium is also an inert gas that does not react with oils.
Therefore,helium or nitrogen can be used to store fresh samples of oil for a long time to prevent rancidity.
5
Medium
$A$ silver article generally turns black when kept in the open for a few days. The article when rubbed with toothpaste again starts shining.
$(a)$ Why do silver articles turn black when kept in the open for a few days? Name the phenomenon involved.
$(b)$ Name the black substance formed and give its chemical formula.

Solution

(N/A) Metals such as silver,when exposed to substances in their surroundings like moisture,acids,or gases,undergo a process called corrosion. In the case of silver,it reacts with sulfur compounds in the air,leading to the formation of a black layer. This phenomenon is known as the corrosion of metals.
$(b)$ The black substance formed is silver sulphide. Its chemical formula is $Ag_2S$.
6
MediumMCQ
Silver articles become black on prolonged exposure to air. This is due to the formation of
A
$Ag_2S$
B
$Ag_2O$
C
$Ag_2N$
D
$Ag_2S$ and $Ag_3N$

Solution

(A) Silver articles react with sulfur compounds present in the air, such as hydrogen sulfide $(H_2S)$, to form a coating of silver sulfide $(Ag_2S)$.
This process is a form of corrosion known as tarnishing.
The chemical reaction is: $2Ag + H_2S \rightarrow Ag_2S + H_2$.
Therefore, the black layer formed on silver is $Ag_2S$.
7
MediumMCQ
If copper is kept open in air,it slowly loses its shining brown surface and gains a green coating. It is due to the formation of
A
$CuSO_4$
B
$CuO$
C
$Cu(NO_3)_2$
D
$CuCO_3.Cu(OH)_2$

Solution

(D) When copper is exposed to moist air for a long time,it reacts with atmospheric carbon dioxide,oxygen,and water vapor.
This reaction leads to the formation of a green-colored layer on the surface of the copper metal.
This green substance is a mixture of copper carbonate and copper hydroxide,chemically represented as $CuCO_3.Cu(OH)_2$,which is commonly known as basic copper carbonate.
8
EasyMCQ
Which one is a chemical change: Rusting of iron or melting of iron?
A
Rusting of iron
B
Melting of iron
C
Both are chemical changes
D
Neither is a chemical change

Solution

(A) Rusting of iron is a chemical change because it involves a chemical reaction between iron,oxygen,and moisture to form a new substance called iron oxide $(Fe_2O_3 \cdot xH_2O)$.
Melting of iron is a physical change because it only involves a change in the state of matter from solid to liquid,and no new substance is formed.
9
EasyMCQ
What type of coating is formed on silver articles when they get corroded?
A
Green coating
B
Black coating
C
Reddish-brown coating
D
White coating

Solution

(B) When silver articles are exposed to air,they react with sulfur compounds present in the atmosphere,such as hydrogen sulfide $(H_2S)$.
This chemical reaction leads to the formation of a black layer of silver sulfide $(Ag_2S)$ on the surface of the silver.
This process is a form of corrosion known as tarnishing.
10
Medium
The smell and taste of food containing fats and oils change after some time. Why does this happen? Name the process. List two ways which help to slow down the above-mentioned process.

Solution

(N/A) The smell and taste of food containing fats and oils change because they get oxidized when exposed to air,leading to a condition known as $Rancidity$.
Process: $Rancidity$.
Two ways to slow down this process are:
$1$. Storing food in airtight containers to prevent contact with oxygen.
$2$. Flushing nitrogen gas into food packets (like chips) to replace oxygen and prevent oxidation.
11
Medium
State the reason for the following:
$(a)$ Potato chips manufacturers usually flush bags of chips with nitrogen gas.
$(b)$ Iron articles lose their shine gradually.
$(c)$ Foods should be kept in airtight containers.

Solution

(N/A) Potato chips manufacturers flush bags with nitrogen gas to create an unreactive environment,which prevents the oxidation of fats and oils,thereby stopping the chips from becoming rancid.
$(b)$ Iron articles lose their shine because they react with moisture and oxygen present in the atmosphere to form a layer of hydrated iron oxide,a process known as corrosion or rusting.
$(c)$ Foods should be kept in airtight containers to minimize their exposure to oxygen and moisture,which helps in preventing oxidation and slowing down the growth of microorganisms,thus keeping the food fresh for a longer period.
12
Medium
What is rancidity? Mention any two ways by which rancidity can be prevented?

Solution

(N/A) Rancidity is the process of oxidation of fats and oils in food materials,which leads to an unpleasant smell and taste.
It can be prevented by the following methods:
$(i)$ Adding antioxidants to foods containing fats and oils.
$(ii)$ Flushing food containers with nitrogen gas to remove oxygen.
13
Medium
$(a)$ Define corrosion.
$(b)$ What is corrosion of iron called?
$(c)$ How will you recognise the corrosion of silver?

Solution

(N/A) Corrosion: The process in which metals are eaten away gradually by the action of air,moisture,or a chemical on their surface.
$(b)$ The corrosion of iron is called rusting.
$(c)$ Corrosion of silver is recognised by the development of a black coating on the surface of the metal.
14
Difficult
$A$ student has been collecting silver coins and copper coins. One day she observed a black coating on silver coins and a green coating on copper coins. Which chemical phenomenon is responsible for these coatings? Write the chemical name of black and green coatings.

Solution

(N/A) The chemical phenomenon responsible for these coatings is $Corrosion$.
Silver coins develop a black coating of $Silver \text{ } Sulphide$ $(Ag_2S)$ due to the reaction with sulphur compounds present in the air.
Copper coins develop a green coating of $Basic \text{ } Copper \text{ } Carbonate$ $(CuCO_3 \cdot Cu(OH)_2)$ due to the reaction with moist carbon dioxide and oxygen in the air.
15
Easy
Give reasons for the following:
$(i)$ Keeping food in airtight containers helps in preventing rancidity.

Solution

(N/A) $(i)$ Airtight containers prevent air (oxygen) from coming into contact with the food,which inhibits the oxidation of fats and oils present in the food. Since oxidation is the primary cause of rancidity,preventing it ensures that the food does not become rancid,thereby preserving its original smell and taste.
16
Easy
The marble statues are often slowly corroded when kept in the open for a long time. Give a suitable reason.

Solution

(N/A) Chemically,marble is $CaCO_3$ (calcium carbonate). When exposed to the atmosphere for a long time,it reacts with acidic pollutants like $SO_2$ and $NO_2$ present in the air,which dissolve in rainwater to form acids (acid rain).
These acids react with the calcium carbonate of the marble to form soluble salts,which are then washed away by rain,leading to the slow corrosion of the statues.
The chemical reaction is as follows:
$CaCO_3(s) + H_2O(l) + CO_2(g) \rightarrow Ca(HCO_3)_2(aq)$
17
EasyMCQ
What is the chemical formula of rust?
A
$Fe_2O_3$
B
$Fe_2O_3 \cdot xH_2O$
C
$FeO \cdot xH_2O$
D
$Fe_3O_4$

Solution

(B) Rust is chemically known as hydrated iron$(III)$ oxide.
When iron reacts with oxygen and moisture in the air,it forms a reddish-brown substance called rust.
The general chemical formula for rust is $Fe_2O_3 \cdot xH_2O$,where $x$ represents a variable number of water molecules.
18
EasyMCQ
The coating formed on the metals such as iron, silver, and copper after corrosion will be:
A
Brown in colour in all the metals.
B
Black, brown and green in colour.
C
Brown, black and green in colour.
D
Black in colour in all the metals.

Solution

(C) Corrosion is the process where metals are eaten away by the action of air, moisture, or chemicals.
$1$. Iron $(Fe)$ reacts with oxygen and moisture to form hydrated iron$(III)$ oxide $(Fe_2O_3 \cdot xH_2O)$, which is brown in colour (rust).
$2$. Silver $(Ag)$ reacts with sulfur compounds in the air to form silver sulfide $(Ag_2S)$, which is black in colour (tarnish).
$3$. Copper $(Cu)$ reacts with moist carbon dioxide in the air to form a green coating of basic copper carbonate $(CuCO_3 \cdot Cu(OH)_2)$.
Therefore, the order of colours for iron, silver, and copper is brown, black, and green respectively.
19
MediumMCQ
The changes which take place when fats and oils are oxidised:
A
They become better in taste.
B
They become rancid and give good smell.
C
They remain unaffected.
D
They become rancid and their smell and taste change.

Solution

(D) When fats and oils are exposed to air,they undergo oxidation.
This process is known as rancidity.
During oxidation,the chemical structure of fats and oils changes,leading to the development of an unpleasant odor and a foul taste.
Therefore,they become rancid and their smell and taste change.
20
MediumMCQ
The substances which get oxidised easily can be kept for longer duration by:
A
Adding nitrogen and keeping them in airtight containers.
B
Adding nitrogen and keeping them in sun for few days.
C
Adding oxygen and keeping them in airtight containers.
D
Adding oxygen and keeping them in sun for few days.

Solution

(A) Substances that are easily oxidised (like fats and oils in food) undergo rancidity when exposed to oxygen.
To prevent this,food items are flushed with an inert gas like $N_2$ (nitrogen) to displace oxygen.
Additionally,keeping them in airtight containers prevents further contact with atmospheric oxygen,thereby extending their shelf life.
21
EasyMCQ
State whether the following statement is true or false:
Keeping food in airtight containers helps to slow down oxidation.
A
True
B
False

Solution

(A) The statement is $True$.
Food items containing fats and oils get oxidized when exposed to air, which leads to rancidity, resulting in an unpleasant smell and taste.
By keeping food in airtight containers, the exposure to oxygen is significantly reduced or prevented.
This reduction in oxygen contact slows down the oxidation process, thereby preserving the freshness and quality of the food for a longer period.
22
EasyMCQ
Write true or false for the following statement:
Due to corrosion, iron gets a brown coating, copper gets a green coating, and silver gets a black coating.
A
True
B
False

Solution

(A) The statement is True.
$1$. Iron $(Fe)$ reacts with moisture and oxygen to form hydrated iron$(III)$ oxide $(Fe_2O_3 \cdot xH_2O)$, which is a reddish-brown substance known as rust.
$2$. Copper $(Cu)$ reacts with moist carbon dioxide in the air to form a green coating of basic copper carbonate $(CuCO_3 \cdot Cu(OH)_2)$.
$3$. Silver $(Ag)$ reacts with sulfur compounds in the air (like hydrogen sulfide) to form a black coating of silver sulfide $(Ag_2S)$.
23
MediumMCQ
Silver articles become black on prolonged exposure to air. This is due to the formation of:
A
$Ag_{3}N$
B
$Ag_{2}S$
C
$Ag_{2}O$
D
$Ag_{2}S$ and $Ag_{3}N$

Solution

(B) When silver articles are exposed to air for a long time, they react with sulfur compounds present in the air, such as hydrogen sulfide $(H_{2}S)$.
This chemical reaction leads to the formation of a black coating of silver sulfide $(Ag_{2}S)$ on the surface of the silver.
The chemical equation for this process is: $2Ag + H_{2}S \rightarrow Ag_{2}S + H_{2}$ (or more accurately in the presence of oxygen: $4Ag + 2H_{2}S + O_{2} \rightarrow 2Ag_{2}S + 2H_{2}O$).
24
EasyMCQ
What is the chemical formula of rust?
A
$Fe_{2}O_{3} \cdot xH_{2}O$
B
$FeO$
C
$Fe_{3}O_{4}$
D
$FeS$

Solution

(A) Rust is a hydrated iron$(III)$ oxide,which forms when iron reacts with oxygen and moisture in the air.
Its chemical formula is represented as $Fe_{2}O_{3} \cdot xH_{2}O$,where $x$ represents a variable number of water molecules.

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