Multiple choice

Food cans are coated with tin and not zinc because?

  1. Zinc has a higher melting point than tin

  2. Zinc is more reactive than tin

  3. Zinc is less reactive than tin

  4. None of these.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Tin is less reactive than zinc and forms a protective oxide layer that prevents food contamination. Zinc is more electropositive in the reactivity series, so it would react more readily with acidic food contents, potentially contaminating the food and compromising the can. Tin's lower reactivity makes it ideal for food container lining.

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