Bits are metal devices that are held in a horse's mouth by a bridle. They are communication devices that help cue the horse. Most bits on the market today are composed of stainless steel, but alot of horsemen prefer sweet iron. The term sweet iron comes from the fact that the bit tastes sweet to horses due to the formation of rust. This encourgaes salivation and thus increases communication because saliva is a sensitivity-enhancer.
Electrochemistry and the rusting of iron
Rust, Fe2O3, is actually the oxidation of the element iron,Fe. This formed when iron reacts with oxygen in the presense of water or air moisture. The salt in a horse's saliva also helps the bit rust faster.
The rusting of iron is an electrochemical process also known as a redox reaction.
In these types of reactions, electrons are transfered from one element to the other. From the equation below, you can see that the iron looses an electron(oxidation) and that the oxygen gains an electron(reduction)
4 Fe2+ + O2 → 4 Fe3+ + 2 O2−
The reaction is further catalysed by the production of hydroxide ions. The electrons are from the oxidized iron.
O2 + 4 e− + 2 H2O → 4 OH−
This corrosion of most metals in affected by low pH.
Electrochemistry and the rusting of iron
Rust, Fe2O3, is actually the oxidation of the element iron,Fe. This formed when iron reacts with oxygen in the presense of water or air moisture. The salt in a horse's saliva also helps the bit rust faster.
The rusting of iron is an electrochemical process also known as a redox reaction.
In these types of reactions, electrons are transfered from one element to the other. From the equation below, you can see that the iron looses an electron(oxidation) and that the oxygen gains an electron(reduction)
4 Fe2+ + O2 → 4 Fe3+ + 2 O2−
The reaction is further catalysed by the production of hydroxide ions. The electrons are from the oxidized iron.
O2 + 4 e− + 2 H2O → 4 OH−
This corrosion of most metals in affected by low pH.