A Study of Rusts in Solutions Mrs. Gilmore's 4 th period Science Class Jefferson Elementary, Tracy, CA April 30, 2005

Introduction Rust is in our everyday lives. It forms all around you and you don’t even know it. We wanted to learn more about rust because we saw our bikes, our parents’ cars and other metal objects rusted. We wanted to learn how rust forms, which solutions made the metals rust the most, and ways to prevent metals from rusting.

Introduction continued The properties of metals are malleable and ductile, conduct thermal energy and electric energy, and good conductors. Rust is formed when iron combines with oxygen to make iron oxides. When rusting happens it is a destructive example of an oxidation reaction. Water will cause iron and steel to rust. Like most chemical reactions heats speeds up the rust. When steel starts to rust it puffs because iron oxide is a larger molecule than iron [1].

Purpose and Hypothesis In this experiment, we incubated the metals in different solutions for two weeks. We measured the metals’ rust. Our hypothesis is if we test which metals will rust the fastest, then tin will rust faster because we think tin is thinner and it appears to rust faster in salt water.

Methods & Procedure Methods 1. Weigh un-rusted metals and record weight 2. Place metals in cups 3. Fill cups with 150 milliliters of solution 4. Look at daily qualitative characteristics for 14 days 5. When rusted, take metals out of cups and clean off all the rust. 6. Weigh metals and record weight

Results We saw that the solution changed colors. The copper solution changed from clear to a blue/green color. The steel and iron solutions changed from clear to an orangish color.

Data Graph of Percentage change of rusted metals

Discussion -We found that iron rusted the most and our hypothesis was wrong. -Our hypothesis was wrong, because iron reacted with oxygen the most compared to the other metals, therefore we see the most rust. -Based on our experiment, we suggest that people should choose non-iron metals to buy as a tool if they want to keep it for a long time.

Conclusion We found out that unless you spray a non-rusting solution on it, iron will rust most. Steel also rusts, just not as much as iron. Copper, galvanized nails, silver, aluminum, brass, and tin did not rust.

Conclusion continued Always always always write EVERYTHING down even if you think it’s not important. It might come in handy at the end, when you don’t have all the data you need to analyze your ending. We learned that from experience!

Acknowledgements Mrs. Gilmore, for choosing 4 th period to do this experiment, TEAM Science, for the financial support, and Dr. Jim Bridges, for letting us borrow the closet in the cafeteria, to stink it up with our samples.

Acknowledgements continued Sara Zanolli for taking pictures. Thomas Sievers for working so hard on the data. Also a special thanks to, the scientist in charge of “A Study of Rust in Solutions,” Mr. Son Hoang.

Thank you!