Question
How does magnesium protect against rusting on the iron surface?
Answer
Magnesium can protect against rusting on the iron surface by acting as a sacrificial anode. When magnesium is attached to the iron surface, it undergoes corrosion instead of iron. The magnesium atoms lose electrons and get oxidized, while iron atoms gain electrons and are reduced. As a result, the magnesium metal corrodes instead of the iron surface, preventing rust formation on the iron surface.
