Previous Year Question
Which of the following metals is used to coat food cans instead of zinc?
A.
Iron
B.
Magnesium
C.
Lead
D.
Tin
Correct Answer: D
Detailed Solution
Iron or steel cans used for storing food are generally coated with tin. NCERT explicitly explains that tin cans used for storing food are made by electroplating tin onto iron.
The tin coating prevents the iron from coming into direct contact with food and the environment and thereby helps prevent corrosion.
Why tin instead of zinc?
NCERT specifically explains that food cans are coated with tin rather than zinc because zinc is more reactive than tin.
Therefore, among the given options, tin is the appropriate coating metal for food cans.