The reason why food cans are coated with tin rather than zinc is:

Correct option is C

The correct answer is option (c) Zinc is more reactive than tin.

Explanation

The primary reason why food cans are coated with tin rather than zinc is that zinc is more reactive than tin. Zinc is more likely to react with the food and air, especially in the presence of moisture, which could lead to the deterioration of the food and the can. In contrast, tin is less reactive and provides a protective coating to prevent rusting and contamination of the food.

Tin’s relatively low reactivity makes it a better choice for food cans, as it forms a barrier that protects the food from external environmental factors, such as moisture and oxygen, which could cause spoilage.

Information Booster

• Tin is used to coat food cans because it is non-reactive, making it safer for storing food over long periods.

• Zinc, although also used as a coating material (such as in galvanized steel), is more reactive, which is why it is unsuitable for food cans.

• The reactivity of metals increases as we move down the reactivity series, with zinc being more reactive than tin.

Additional Knowledge

Explaining the other options:

1. Tin is more expensive than zinc: While this is true, the main reason tin is preferred for food cans is its lower reactivity, not its cost.

2. Zinc has a higher melting point than tin: Zinc does have a higher melting point than tin, but this is not the reason for its choice as a coating.

3. Zinc is less reactive than tin: This is incorrect. Zinc is actually more reactive than tin.