Aluminum and magnesium form corrosion products that are white oxides or what else?

The correct answer identifies hydroxides as one of the corrosion products formed by aluminum and magnesium. When these metals corrode, particularly in the presence of water or moisture, they can react with hydroxyl ions (OH⁻) to form corresponding metal hydroxides. For aluminum, this reaction typically results in aluminum hydroxide, while magnesium corrosion leads to magnesium hydroxide.

Hydroxides are compounds that contain the hydroxide ion and are often formed during corrosive processes, especially in alkaline environments. Aluminum and magnesium are reactive metals that readily oxidize, and the presence of water accelerates their corrosion, leading to the formation of these hydroxides alongside oxides.

In contrast, aluminum primarily forms its oxide, known as aluminum oxide, while magnesium also forms oxide products. Chlorides and phosphates are not common direct products of corrosion for these metals, making them less relevant in this context. The formation of hydroxides is thus a hallmark of the corrosion process for aluminum and magnesium.