The shipping industry has to bear huge financial loss because of rusti...
Explanation:
Rusting of ships is a common and significant problem in the shipping industry, leading to substantial financial losses. This process occurs due to multiple factors, which are outlined below:
a) The body of the ship is always in contact with water:
- Ships are constantly exposed to water, whether it be seawater or freshwater, depending on their location.
- This continuous contact with water provides an ideal environment for the formation of rust.
- Water contains dissolved oxygen, which reacts with the metal in the ship's body, leading to the oxidation process and the formation of rust.
b) The air around the ship is humid:
- Humidity refers to the amount of moisture present in the air.
- In coastal regions or areas near water bodies, the air tends to be more humid due to the evaporation of water.
- Humid air contains a higher amount of moisture, which accelerates the rusting process.
- When the ship's body is exposed to humid air, the moisture in the air reacts with the metal, promoting rust formation.
c) Presence of salts in seawater speed up the process of rusting:
- Sea water contains various salts, primarily sodium chloride (NaCl), in significant quantities.
- These salts act as catalysts, speeding up the rusting process.
- When the ship's body is in contact with seawater, the salts present in it facilitate the electrochemical reactions required for rust formation.
- The presence of salts increases the conductivity of the water, allowing for more efficient electron transfer and accelerating the oxidation process.
d) All of the above:
- All the mentioned factors (contact with water, humid air, and presence of salts in seawater) contribute to the rusting of ships.
- The combination of these factors significantly increases the likelihood and speed of rust formation on the ship's body.
- As a result, the shipping industry faces substantial financial losses in terms of maintenance, repairs, and the early retirement of rusted ships.
In conclusion, the shipping industry experiences significant financial losses due to the rusting of ships caused by the continuous contact with water, the presence of humid air, and the salts present in seawater.
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