1. Does Rust Affect Metal’s Strength?
Carolyn Riegel
Grade Nine

2. Problem
What solution will cause the most rust, thus resulting in the weakest metal?

3. Research
Rust, occurs when certain metals are exposed to oxygen and water
The water that hits the surface of the metal will form with carbon dioxide to become acid
The rest of the water will separate into its two elements, hydrogen and oxygen. Oxygen will combine with the acid to create iron oxide
When regular water is used in the rust process it forms an acidic solution that acts as a catalyst. If sodium chloride is used, no solution is needed because it is already a catalyst.
Sodium hypochlorite is a potent oxidizer and readily accepts electrons from the metal

4. Hypothesis
If steel wool is soaked in three different solutions, the sodium chloride solution will cause the steel wool to require the least amount force to rip apart.

5. Materials 9 beakers 12 pieces of steel wool ( about .75 grams each)
Distilled water ( 100 milliliters in three beakers)
10% sodium chloride concentration with distilled water in three beakers
10% sodium hypochlorite concentration with distilled water in three beakers
Force Logger Pro Software
Computer

6. Procedure Each steel wool piece was cut
Beakers were filled with different solutions
Steel wool placed in each respective beaker
After 3 days, steel wool was removed from beakers and allowed to dry off
Force Logger Pro was used to test the force needed to rip the steel wool
Data was recorded
Independent variable: solution steel wool is placed in
Dependent Variable: durability of the steel wool
Constants: type of steel wool, time steel wool was in solution, temperature of room
Control: steel wool placed in distilled water solution, steel wool not placed in any solution

7. Data

8. Conclusion
Hypothesis : If steel wool is soaked in three different solutions, the sodium chloride solution will cause the steel wool to require the least amount force to rip apart.
Hypothesis supported based on my results

9. Works Cited
Netrekker. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Dec < goPage?np=/home.ftl>.
"Rust." Science Online. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Dec < Science/default.asp>.
Salt and Oxidation." Student Resource Center. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Dec