NEIEP Mechanics Practice Exam

The electrochemical reaction between metal and its environment is called what?

1. Electrolysis

2. Cathodic Protection

3. Oxidation

4. Corrosion

The correct answer is: Electrolysis

The electrochemical reaction between a metal and its environment is known as corrosion. Corrosion is a natural process that occurs when metals react with elements in their surroundings, often leading to deterioration. This process can involve the metal losing electrons to oxidizing agents in the environment, which causes the metal to corrode and lose structural integrity over time. In this context, electrolysis refers to a process where electrical energy is used to drive a non-spontaneous chemical reaction, often in a solution. Cathodic protection is a technique used to prevent corrosion by making the metal surface the cathode of an electrochemical cell, while oxidation generally refers to the loss of electrons, which is a part of the corrosion process but does not encompass the overall reaction involved with the metal and its environment. Thus, corrosion is the term that accurately describes the electrochemical interaction leading to the degradation of metals.