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Use of a Sacrificial Anode to Prevent Corrosion
- The sacrificial anode must be composed of a metal that is above iron on the activity series. The sacrificial anode oxidizes in place of the iron, protecting the iron from oxidation.
- One way to protect iron from rusting is to coat it with a metal above it in the activity series.
- Galvanized nails are coated with a thin layer of zinc. Since zinc is more active than iron, it oxidizes in place of the underlying iron. The oxide of zinc is not crumbly and remains on the nail as a protective coating.