whit3rd fired this volley in news:53f38714-2781-41e3-
:

Iron forms both ferric and ferrous ions (so it's only 'fully burnt'
when it
loses the third electron).

Yep. That wouldn't work, except I forgot that ferric chloride dissociates
in water solution, and becomes highly acidic. That allows the FeCl3 to
form ferric ions and HCl, and then in contact with iron, dissolves more to
form ferrous ions.

I take it back .... WOH, not "HOW?".

LLoyd