Title: materials ( rusting )

Scenario : Our new school was built close to the beach. A few months later, you notice that the metal
railings installed started rusting . plan and design an experiment to determine the conditions necessary
for rusting to occur

Hypothesis: (2)

"The rate and extent of rust formation on iron surfaces will vary based on
environmental conditions such as humidity, temperature, and presence of corrosive
agents like salt or pollutants. A higher level of humidity and temperature will
accelerate the rusting process due to increased moisture and chemical reactions,
while the presence of corrosive agents will further expedite corrosion. Conversely,
lower humidity levels and absence of corrosive agents will slow down rust
formation.

Aim: To determine the optimal conditions for the rust formation on iron surfaces

Materials/Apparatus: (1)

1. Iron samples (iron nails.(5) )

2. Beakers
3. Different solutions:
 Distilled water
 Saltwater solution (prepared by dissolving salt in distilled water)
 Acidic solution (e.g., vinegar)
 Basic solution (e.g., sodium bicarbonate solution)
4. Appropriate measuring instrument (ruler, calipers, etc.)
5. Protective gear (gloves, googles)

Procedures : (2)

 Obtain and clean five (5) iron nails of uniform size and shape to ensure they
are from any existing rust or contaminants.

 Controlled environments or test conditions are set up where specific

factors known to influence rusting will vary, such as the presence of
oxygen, water, temperature, pH level, and salts.
 Prepared control sample to maintain constant conditions for
comparison.
  Regularly inspect the iron samples for signs of rust formation for a
duration of 10 days.
 Use a stopwatch or timer to record the time it takes for rust to appear
on each sample.
 Take notes on the appearance and extent of rust on each sample.

Safety precautions

Variables : (1)

Variables (Manipulated):
 Different experimental conditions such as the presence of oxygen, water,
temperature, pH level, and salts.

 Responding Variables (Measured):

 Rate of Rust Formation: Measure the time it takes for rust to appear on
iron samples under different experimental conditions. This provides
insights into the relative speed of rusting.

Control Variables (Kept Constant):

 Type and Condition of Iron nails
 The amount of days they were left under those conditions (10)
 Precautionary measures: Ensure that all iron samples used in the experiment are of the
same type and initial condition (clean, unoxidized).

 Expected results : In the beaker that contained the sodium chloride, the corrosion is most
likely to occur quicker compared to the nails placed in the other condition such as in
the presence of oxygen, water, temperature, pH level. The iron nails that
were left dried outside will show little or no signs of rusting. (2)

Assumption/P.S.E/limitation: Homogeneous Iron Composition: It is assumed that the iron

samples used in the experiment have a consistent composition throughout, without significant
variations in purity or alloy content that could affect rust formation.
Steady State Conditions: Researchers may assume that the experimental conditions remain
relatively stable throughout the duration of the experiment, allowing for consistent observations
of rust formation over time.
Title: Metals and Non metals

Aim: to determine the optimal conditions for rust formation on iron surfaces

Materials/ Apparatus:

Iron samples (iron nails.(5) )

Beakers

Different solutions:

 Distilled water
 Saltwater solution (prepared by dissolving salt in distilled water)
 Acidic solution (e.g., vinegar)
 Basic solution (e.g., sodium bicarbonate solution)

Appropriate measuring instrument (ruler, calipers, etc.)

Protective gear (gloves, googles)

Procedures: 2 mks

1. Iron nails of uniform size and shape were obtained and cleaned to
ensure they were free from any existing rust or contaminants.
2. Controlled environments or test conditions were set up where specific
factors known to influence rusting were varied, such as the presence of
oxygen, water, temperature, pH level, and salts.
3. A control sample was prepared to maintain constant conditions for
comparison.
4. The iron samples were regularly inspected for signs of rust formation
for a duration of 10 days.
5. A stopwatch or timer was used to record the time it took for rust to
appear on each sample.
6. Notes were taken on the appearance and extent of rust on each
sample.

Results:
 Sample Oxygen Water Temperatur PH Salts Formation Appearance of
e level days rust
1 yes Yes Room temp Neutral No 3 Light orange
patches, small
spots
2 Yes No Room tepm Neutral No 7 Thin, reddish-
brown coating
3 Yes Yes High temp acidic No 2 Extensive rust
coverage, dark
brown
4 Yes Yes Room temp Neutral Yes 4 Thick, flaky rust,
deep brown

5 no yes Room temp Neutral no 10 Minimal rust,

slight
discoloration

Table showing results of rusting on iron surfaces

Discussion: 4mks

Rusting is a chemical reaction of iron that occurs over a period of time as the bare metal surface comes
in contact with oxygen present in the air or water or is the breakdown of metal iron.

Background information: rusting is the common term of corrosion of iron and its alloys such as steal.
Rusting begin from dissolving the metals and forming a flaky, reddish-brown oxide formed by the
reaction of iron and oxygen in the catalytic presence of water or air

-A coating of oil will help prevent rust or slow down the reaction since inhibits moisture from reaching
the iron in the metal.

Trends: Rusting occurred gradually once the conditions were available

Precaution: Ensure that the nails are rust free before use of, all apparatus should be washed before using
it to conduct the lab

Reflection: 1/5

Overall, doing this lab experiment offered a valuable opportunity to explore the
complex interplay between environmental conditions and rust formation on iron
surfaces. By reflecting on the experimental process and results, we can deepen our
understanding of corrosion processes and inform strategies for preserving metallic
structures and materials.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the lab experiment aimed at determining the optimal conditions for
rust formation on iron surfaces was successful in achieving its objectives. The
presence of oxygen, water, elevated temperatures, acidic conditions, and
potentially the presence of salts promote the rapid and extensive formation of rust
on iron surfaces. Through systematic variation of environmental factors such as
humidity, temperature, and the presence of oxygen, we were able to observe and
analyze the effects of these variables on the rusting process.