If fire is the rapid oxidation of a substance, does that mean that ash is a form of rust?
In a chemical sence, Is the process of something burning similar to the process of something rusting?
Answer:
Hi Julian,
Fire IS a rapid oxidation...however, 'rust' is the result of ferrous oxidation only, so refers only to iron itself of compounds of iron such as steel, etc.
Ash is the end result of any oxidation (fire) process, so 'rust' could be described as a form of ash, but ash is not (necessarily) a form of rust.
Ash is the residue left after burning, so can be formed from wood or any other inflammable material. The clue is probably in the description you give where you say 'fire is the rapid oxidation of a substance' The word 'rapid' moves rust away from the 'ash' description (except, loosely, as I described above) Rust is, of course, a 'slow' oxidation.
Technically, and in a pure scientific way, rust and fire ARE allied and could be considered similar.
Hope that helps,
BobSpain
It would be better phrased as: rust is a form of ash. Ash is an oxidation product of many metals; rust is an oxidation product of iron.
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