Corrosion

Corrosion 1

Aim: To investigate the factors that cause rusting in iron.

Equipment: Four test tubes, test tube rack, a bung, four iron nails, boiled water, tap water, salty water, cooking oil, calcium chloride.

Method: 

1. Label four test tubes A - D and place in a test tube rack.

2. Test tube contents: A = Iron nail and tap water 

                                  B = Iron nail and salty water

                                  C = Iron nail, boiled water, oil.

                                  D = Iron nail and calcium chloride. Sealed with a bung.

3. Leave the test tubes undisturbed for at least three days. 

Corrosion 2

(prevent rusting)

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

Equipment: Four test tubes, test tube rack, a bung, four iron nails, tap water, Vaseline gel, nail polish or paint, zinc pellets or magnesium ribbon.

Method: 1. Label four test tubes A - D and place in a test tube rack.

2. Fill all test tubes with equal volumes of water - enough to cover the nails.

3. Test tube contents: A = Iron nail

                                  B = Iron nail covered in Vaseline

                                  C = Iron nail painted with nail polish or paint

                                  D = Iron nail with a small piece of magnesium ribbon wrapped around it, or with zinc pellets added to the test tube. 

4. Leave the test tubes undisturbed for at least 3 days.

Conclusion: As you can see in the photo above the experiment worked successfully!