The aim of the investigation is to find out what speeds up or slows down the effects of rusting in iron. To do this I will place Iron in different solutions

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What rusts iron quicker?

By Loren Macdonald, 10a1

Aims

The aim of the investigation is to find out what speeds up or slows down the effects of rusting in iron. To do this I will place Iron in different solutions restricting certain things getting at it to see what it is that rusts the iron the quickest and what prevents it. To do this I will be testing nails with: no water but air, water and air, salt water and air and a magnesium covered nail in water and air.

Safety

To ensure that this experiment is performed safely everyone doing the experiment should be standing up to avoid spillages. All loose items of clothing and bags should be out of the way to prevent people getting things caught or falling over things. Safety goggles must be worn at all times to ensure that nothing gets into the eye and creates damage to the eye.  

Equipment

Equipment list:

  • Test tube (x5)
  • Nail (x5)
  • Magnesium
  • Water
  • Salt
  • 2 bungs
  • Drying agent
  • Oil
  • Kettle
  • Test tube rack

Method:

  1. Boil the kettle (for the one that uses boiling water)
  2. Put one test tube into each of the sections in the test tube rack.
  3. Drop one nail into each of the test tubes (remembering that one of them must be wrapped in magnesium first.
  4. Add the liquid/powder into the correct test tubes making sure that they are done at the same time using the same amount of liquid/powder (80mm).
  5. Place the bungs into the ones that need it (the one containing boiled water and the one with the drying agent)
  6. Put them in a safe place for 4 days.
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The end result of the experiment is the amount of rust present on the iron when the experiment is over and what colour the rust is. The amount of experiments taking place allows for a good look at what things prevent rusting and what things help speed up rusting.

Fair test

To make it a fair test the nail must remain the same size and for there to be the same amount of nails in each test tube. The amount of solution/powder in each test tube must be equal also to enable the test to be ...

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