boppudi_prahaas
Aug 30, 2007, 06:12 AM
:D why doesn't iron rust in the body ? :cool:
RickJ
Aug 30, 2007, 06:18 AM
Here's an article/explanation:
Metallic Marvels (http://it.umn.edu/news/inventing//2001_Spring/mck_tolman.html)
labman
Aug 30, 2007, 06:56 AM
I am not sure that link gives a clear, simple explanation. Let me try. Atoms are made up of protons, neutrons, and electrons. The number protons determines what kind of an atom it is. The number of neutrons and electrons can change and still be the same element. In chemical reactions, such as rusting, the atoms gain, lose, or share electrons. As a metal, iron will give up its electrons to oxygen. It will even give its electrons to the hydrogen in water to combine with the oxygen. If iron as a metal does get into the body, it will rust. The iron in your body is already sharing its electrons with something else.
Think of a bus seat. Two people can share it, or make room for a third. In your lungs, the iron and other parts of the hemoglobin are already sharing a seat or electrons. They make room for oxygen, giving it electrons. The oxygen then gets off in your muscles giving back its electrons. Carbon dioxide then gets on to ride to the lungs. Hydrogen and carbon share their electrons with the oxygen producing energy, water, and carbon dioxide.
mukul123456
Feb 23, 2010, 08:27 AM
It does, but the body is an amazing instrument that has built in systems to balance free radicals