Page 128 - Canadian BC Science 9

Corroding Nails
Corrosion is an example of a chemical change. Commonly called rusting, this chemical change can cause damage to a variety of iron structures. The amount of corrosion depends on a variety of factors including the amount of moisture, amount of oxygen, and whether the iron has a protective coating. In this activity, you will investigate what conditions cause the most corrosion of an iron nail.
Problem
What conditions are required to cause the most corrosion of an iron nail?
Safety
• Do not mix any chemicals without your teacher’s knowledge or approval.
Materials
• 6 test tubes
• 6 iron nails
• cotton ball
• water
• calcium chloride
• vegetable oil
• 2 stoppers
• test tube holder
Criteria
• Develop a procedure to test the rate of corrosion in iron nails.
• Have your teacher approve your procedure.
• Safely carry out your experiment.
• Collect experimental data describing the
conditions in each of the test tubes.
• Correctly identify and describe the appropriate
conditions for corroding nails.
Procedure
1. With your group create a procedure to test six different conditions for testing how fast an iron nail will corrode. The illustration below shows the materials to be placed in each of the first five test tubes. Use the sixth tube to create your own set of conditions.
123
wet cotton ball
45
rubber stopper
anhydrous calcium chloride
tap water
clean iron nail
vegetable oil
water
2. 3. 4. 5.
Have your teacher approve your procedure. Perform your experiment.
Gather and record your data and observations. Clean up and put away the equipment you have used. Follow your teacher’s instructions for the disposal of chemicals.
Report Out
Create a report describing your experiment. The titles for each section in your report are:
1. Question Investigated
2. Outline of Procedure Used in the Experiment
3. Data Collected
4. Conclusion
110 MHR • Unit 1 Atoms, Elements, and Compounds
Science Reference
Go to Science Skill 2 for more information on designing and carrying out an experiment.