Rusting Investigation
Task
In pairs you are to design an experiment that will
enable you to answer the 4 questions below. You must
write out a full method for your 4 experiments. You
should also include a results table. Complete this
experimental design in pages. Call it “Rusting
Investigation”. You also need to think about how you
will monitor your experiments. You will be completing
this investigation after your teacher has given it the
‘OK’.
The experiment
Aim: To determine the factors which affect rusting by designing tests to answer
the following questions:
1. At what rate will an iron nail rust in water, air or half water, half air?
2. Will an iron nail rust quicker in salty water? Does the amount of salt in the
water make a difference?
3. Does an iron need oxygen to rust?
4. Will an iron nail rust quicker if left in an acid or base when compared to
pure water?
Materials
You can use the following materials (and more if you need them, just email Mr
Leslie).
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Test tubes
Water
Iron nails
Salt
Hydrochloric acid
Sodium hydroxide
Steel wool
beakers
Please complete the method and set up an appropriate results table now.