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Chapter 17: Problem 11

Why does a sacrificial anode provide cathodic protection?

Short Answer

Expert verified
A sacrificial anode provides cathodic protection by acting as a 'sacrifice'. Its high tendency to oxidize (lose electrons) allows it to protect a less active (less likely to oxidize) metal by oxidizing in its place, reducing or preventing the corrosion of the protected metal. This way, the sacrificial anode corrodes while the protected metal does not.

Step by step solution

01

Understanding Sacrificial Anode

The first step is to understand what a sacrificial anode is. A sacrificial anode is an anode made from a metal that is more 'active' (more easily oxidized) than the metal of the object it is protecting. This means it is more likely to give up its electrons in a redox (oxidation-reduction) reaction.
02

Understanding Cathodic Protection

The next step is to understand cathodic protection. Cathodic protection is a method of protecting metal surfaces from corrosion by making them the cathode of an electrochemical cell. This is achieved by placing a sacrificial anode, or 'protector', in the cell that is more anodic than the metal it is protecting. The protector will oxidize (lose electrons), reducing the amount of oxidation at the metal's surface, and thus slowing or preventing corrosion.
03

Connection Between Sacrificial Anode and Cathodic Protection

Lastly, we need to connect these two concepts. When a sacrificial anode is used, it is connected to the metal it is protecting. The sacrificial anode will oxidize instead of the protected metal because it is more 'active', or more likely to lose electrons. This means that the protected metal acts as the cathode and will not corrode. So, by sacrificing itself, the anode protects the other metal from oxidation, or corrosion.

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