Question

Does acid corrode metal?

Answer 1

Hint :An acid is defined as a substance which contains hydrogen and is capable of donating a proton to another substance. Acids are generally sour to taste. Acid changes the color of blue litmus paper to red. Acids are capable of releasing hydrogen when they react with metals.

Complete Step By Step Answer:
Metal is a substance which conducts heat and electricity well when polished, fractured or freshly prepared. Metals form positive ions called cations readily. They can be described as lattice of positive ions that are surrounded by a cloud of delocalized electrons. They are lustrous. They have a high melting point and have high density. They are good conductors of heat and electricity. They can be hammered i.e. they are malleable. Metals are ductile, so they can be drawn into wires. Acids corrode many kinds of metals through some chemical processes. Not all the metals react with acids in a similar way but some metals are more vulnerable to corrosion than other metals. Acid corrosion of metals is due to electrochemical processes. By the diffusion of moisture, oxygen and acid pollutants to the surface corrosion of metals takes place. If the humidity is high then the corrosion process is accelerated. Corrosion accelerates in the presence of sulphur dioxide.

Note :
When acids react with metals we always get hydrogen gas and a salt. The rate of reaction varies for different metals. The reactivity series of metals tells us how fast the reaction takes place. Acids are generally corrosive in nature and they destroy the surfaces of many materials. But not all acids are corrosive. Corrosion is a property of material that is exposed to a corrosive agent.