Question:

What is the chemical formula of rust?

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Rusting requires both oxygen and moisture. Iron does not rust in completely dry air or in water without dissolved oxygen.
Updated On: Jun 9, 2026
  • Hydrated ferrous oxide
  • Only ferric oxide
  • Hydrated ferric oxide
  • None of these
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The Correct Option is C

Solution and Explanation

Concept: Rusting is a slow chemical process in which iron reacts with oxygen and moisture present in the atmosphere. This process is a type of corrosion that gradually destroys iron objects. The simplified chemical reaction for rusting is: \[ 4Fe + 3O_2 + xH_2O \rightarrow 2Fe_2O_3\cdot xH_2O \] The reddish-brown substance formed is known as rust.

Step 1: Understand the composition of rust. Rust is not pure iron oxide. It contains water molecules trapped within the iron oxide structure. Therefore, rust is called a hydrated oxide.

Step 2: Identify the type of iron oxide. The iron present in rust is in the ferric state (\(Fe^{3+}\)). Hence the compound formed is ferric oxide: \[ Fe_2O_3 \] Since water molecules are attached, the complete formula becomes \[ Fe_2O_3\cdot xH_2O \] which is known as hydrated ferric oxide.

Step 3: Select the correct option. Therefore, rust is chemically represented as: \[ Fe_2O_3\cdot xH_2O \] and is called hydrated ferric oxide. Hydrated ferric oxide
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