Does iron and water make hydrogen gas?

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r1xlx
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Does iron and water make hydrogen gas?

Post by r1xlx »

What happens if you get half a jar of iron powder, add water to the top of the iron to saturate it, pour off the excess water and evacuate all the air above the wet iron mixture, then seal the jar?
Does the bottle fill up with hydrogen or other gas?
bth80
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Re: Does iron and water make hydrogen gas?

Post by bth80 »

I assume you are referring to rust when you mix water and iron. From what I have read, it seems like iron will not rust without air present. If air is present, hydrogen will be released from the water as the oxygen is removed.
DanielFu
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Re: Does iron and water make hydrogen gas?

Post by DanielFu »

when acid is present:
Fe+(2H+)==(Fe2+)+H2
when acid is not present:
with the help of O2 and H2O,it will finally turn into Fe2O3 after a long process.
But as I mentioned 3 month ago,since we still use iron to boil water and cook food, the reaction you mention won't happen.
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