Our teacher gave me a sheet to study on for a test and i dont know the answer to 1 questionit says to discuss how the chemical differences between the iron in the tablets and the iron in the nails are related to their uses
An iron nail contains elemental iron. In the metallic state is relatively rigid and stands up to being hit repeatedly as it is driven into wood. The iron in tablets is usually Iron (II) sulfate (ferrous sulfate), FeSO4, which is used because it is relatively soluble in the liquid in the stomach (an HCl solution). Iron in the +2 oxidation state is used because that is the useful oxidation state of iron in hemoglobin. Interestingly enough, Fe(II) and Fe(III) are both found in hemoglobin, but only the Fe(II) form can pick up oxygen. The oxygen it picks up oxidizes the iron to Fe(III). If it's already iron (III) then it can't pick up oxygen. That is why iron (II) sulfate is used. But there is a problem using iron (II). The HCl in the stomach can oxidize some of the iron to iron (III) which the body can't use to transport oxygen. This is why certain iron-fortified breakfast cereals use reduced iron as a food additive. Reduced iron is nothing more than finely powdered iron metal mixed in with the cereal. When the iron metal reacts with HCl it is oxidized to iron (II) which the body can use.
Not where you described the leak. that is where the copper pipe touches the iron tank. The combination of the two metals causes the iron to corrode. Soldering iron is hard -- that will be a screw thread joint anyway. Unscrew the fitting and put some teflon tape on the threads and retighten. (and get some dielectric fittings)
I think Iron is just Iron, it does not change
Iron in nails is in the form of metal, not an ion. It is strong, has a high melting point and while slightly flexible, will not readily lose its shape. These properties are important for its job of holding two bits of wood together. Iron in a tablet has been oxidised, so is in ionic form. Its use is ligated to a porphyrin ring in haemoglobin to bind oxygen in the blood. For this, it needs to be an ion, not an element.
Yes, if you know how. You have to drain all the water first. Don't be surprised if the pipe falls apart while you're doing this. The first law of DIY is something will go really wrong. Be prepared for it.
