Corrosion Experiment - Science

 Corrosion Experiment 1 

When metals are exposed to the environment they can deteriorate, or break down. Scientists call this process corrosion. Rust is the term used to describe the corrosion of iron. 

Corrosion Experiment 2

Iron is a relatively cheap metal so it is widely used in industry. Scientists have had to develop ways of protecting iron from rusting. 

Aim 1: To investigate the factors that cause rusting in Iron. 

Aim 2: To investigate a number of techniques that may prevent iron from rusting. 

Equipment needed for both experiments: 

• 8 test tubes
• test tube racks 
• a bung
• 8 iron nails
• boiled water 
• tap water
• salty water
• cooking oil
• calcium chloride
• vaseline
• nail polish
• zinc

Method 1: 

• Iron 
• Iron nail covered in vaseline
• Iron nail painted with nail polish or paint
• Iron nail with a small piece of magnesium ribbon wrapped around it, or with zinc pallets added to the test tube
• Iron nail and tap water
• iron nail and salty water
• Iron nail and boiled water
• Iron nail, boiled water and oil
• Iron nail and calcium chloride sealed with a bung

Method 2:

• Iron - corrosion
• Iron nail covered in vaseline
• Iron nail painted with nail polish or paint
• Iron nail with a small piece of magnesium ribbon wrapped around it, or with zinc pallets added to the test tube
• Iron nail and tap water - corrosion
• iron nail and salty water - corrosion
• Iron nail and boiled water
• Iron nail, boiled water and oil
• Iron nail and calcium chloride sealed with a bung

Actual Experiment Assigned

Conclusion: 

As we can see from the photos, some of the nails rusted and some didn't. 

Experiment A

A corrosion process is seen through the whole nail but only some parts of it rusted, which is surprising because when the iron is exposed to air, it is supposed to corrode. Knowing it's been left in the science lab for a couple of weeks, the whole nail should've been corroded. 

Experiment B

In our second experiment, the nail corroded in the water because when iron touches iron it creates a chemical reaction that causes nails to rust. 

Experiment C

When iron (nail) is in contact with water and oxygen, it corrodes and when salt is present, it tends to rust quickly.

Experiment D

Without water, the oxygen wouldn't be able to perform oxidation (a chemical reaction involving atoms). To prevent rust, we need to add an ingredient, to simplify, we need to prevent H2O from contact with the water and iron. Using oil would be effective as oil and water do not mix.

Experiment E

In the test tube, there is a nail (iron) and calcium chloride inside. To prevent oxygen from getting inside, we used a bung to cover up the test tube. In our observation, the nail didn't rust. 

Experiment F

When iron is covered in vaseline, a petroleum-based mineral that consists of oils and waxes. We put the iron covered in vaseline in the water but it didn't corrode as much as the others. Oil and wax don't mix with water, therefore, it's a good metal lubricant because it prevents rust. 

Experiment G

The nail painted with nail polish corroded in the water.

Experiment H

The nail in the water with zinc corroded.