🔍 Key Concepts

• Sacrificial anodes and how they protect metal in seawater systems • Difference between corrosion, electrolysis, and scaling • What happens electrically when dissimilar metals are in salt water

💭 Think About

• Ask yourself: What is the main purpose of a zinc anode when it is attached to metal parts in contact with seawater? Which metal is intended to be ‘sacrificed’? • Think about which process involves an electrical/galvanic reaction between metals in a conductive liquid like seawater. • Consider which of the options describes a process that can be fully stopped versus one that is managed or reduced by using zinc.

✅ Before You Answer

• Recall that zinc is a more active (less noble) metal than steel, bronze, etc. How does that affect which metal corrodes first? • Distinguish between scaling (mineral deposits), oxidation (chemical reaction with oxygen), and electrical/galvanic action in seawater. • Decide whether zinc anodes realistically eliminate all corrosion, or whether they control/redirect a specific kind of damaging action.