Question

Two sinusoidal (“sye-noo-SOYD-al”) potentials are applied to a sample to non-destructively measure the rate of this process in electrochemical frequency modulation. The rate of this process, which is reported in mils per year, is obtained by plugging the polarization resistance into the Stern–Geary (“GEAR-ee”) equation. The US established National Bridge Inspection Standards after the Silver Bridge’s eyebars fractured due to high tensile stresses in combination with this process, which is known as “stress-[this process] cracking.” A localized form of this process called pitting (-5[1])occurs beyond a critical potential where (10[1])passivating behavior breaks (10[1])down and current density increases. The ability to resist (10[1])this process is tested by immersing a sample (10[4])in (10[1])a salt (10[2])water fog. (10[2])For 10 points, steel (10[1])is dipped (10[1])in (10[1])molten (10[1])zinc (10[2])to prevent what process (10[3]-5[1])in which oxidation (10[1])degrades a metal? ■END■ (10[2])

ANSWER: corrosion [or corroding or corrodes; accept rusting; accept corrosion current, pitting corrosion, stress corrosion cracking, or corrosion fatigue; accept pitting until read; prompt on oxidation or oxidizing or oxidize until “oxidation” is read] (Clues include the salt spray test, or salt fog test, and hot-dip galvanization.)
<Other Science>
= Average correct buzz position