Topic: Rust
Why is oxalic acid used to remove rust stains?
Hey. You have a beautiful antique lamp.
But look. It has a rust stain on it.
No. Don't clean the rust stain with water.
Instead, use this oxalic acid.
Oxalic Acid. You just don't want my lamp to be nice and shiny, do you?
No, I am helping you.
Why don't you listen?
Because, I know that you are making a fool out of me.
Fine. Go ahead.
No.
See. I had told you.
Now will you use the oxalic acid?
Look. The stain disappeared.
Do you know how this happened?
Wait. Let me tell you.
Rust is hydrated iron oxide.
It is formed when iron reacts with oxygen and water.
Rust is insoluble in water.
Hence, it is quite difficult to remove rust stains.
So, how does oxalic acid remove the stain?
Does it have some supernatural powers?
Absolutely not.
Oxalic acid reacts with rust to form iron oxalate complex ion.
Iron oxalate complex ion is soluble in water.
Thus, it can easily be washed away, helping us remove the rust stain.
