Rusting of Iron Nails in Different Environments

Aim:
To see which environment causes iron nails to rust faster.

Hypothesis:
I think the one in the soil will rust the most as there is lots of moisture in the soil, however there is
still oxygen for the rust to form. The rust may also form a considerable amount in the fridge as
there is also quite a bit of moisture that forms on the outside of the glass, which suggests at
moisture in the air in the fridge. I am unsure whether the rust will form on the nails in the water as
there might not be enough air in the water, and the one in room temperature may also have less
rust depending on the humidity of the day.

Material list:

Equipment Amount needed

A set of scales 1
Beakers 5

Teaspoons 2
Identical Type A nails 5
Identical Type B nails 5
Identical Type C nails 5
Timer 1
Salt 4 teaspoons
Soil 3 teaspoons
Water 300mL
Fridge 1

Research:
Before I designed my experiment, I researched my topic of rust and listed the factors which made
measurable changed to iron. I found out that rust is formed when metals come into contact with
both water and oxygen. Metals also rust faster if they come into contact with salt or acid. Rust is
the result of the combination of metal, water, oxygen and carbon dioxide, therefore adds onto the
weight of the metal initially.

Some other experiments conducted around this topic include testing how acid would affect the
metal. It was impossible for me to carry out this experiment as acid may be too hard to carry to and
from school, and handle carefully at all times. Others are experiments to prevent rusting, however
this is too difficult to measure and contained too many variables.
Method:
Procedure
1. Measure the weights of one A, one B and one C nail, and record them.
2. Line 3 of the 5 beakers with approximately 30cm of paper towel
3. Fill 1 of the 5 beakers with 100mL of water
4. Pour 3 heaped teaspoons of soil into one of the lined beakers.
5. Fill the last beaker with 200mL of water and dissolve 4 teaspoons of salt into it.
6. Place the one A, B and C nail in the salt water for 1:30 minutes.
7. Take them out and put them all in one beaker, and put this beaker into the fridge.
8. Place another set of A, B and C nails into the salt water for 1:30 minutes.
9. Take them out and put them in one beaker, and put these into the soil.
10. Place the 3rd set of A, B and C nails into the salt water for 1:30 minutes.
11. Take them out and drop them into the beaker with 100mL of clean water.
12. Place the last set of A, B and C nails into the salt water for 1:30 minutes.
13. Take them out and put them in the last lined beaker and leave somewhere where it won't
be disturbed.
14. Wait 5 days for the rust to form on the nails.
15. Weigh the nails again and record results.

Method:
Evidence

Beaker with Nails 100mL Water Rusty Nails in Water

 Salt Water Beaker with Soil

Method
Variables:

Variable Type of Variable How is it changed, measured or kept the same

Condition the nails Independent Placing the nails in different conditions, ie. fridge,
are kept in soil, water, room temperature

Amount of rust in Dependent Using a scale to measure the difference in weight

the nail before and after rusting period

Time the nail is left Controlled Starting and ending the experiment together so
before measuring that all the nails are treated the same
difference in weight
Saltiness of the Controlled Measuring the amount of salt and ensuring they
water that the nails are exactly the same and also that the nails are
are initially placed placed in the water
in
The type of nails Controlled The type of nails I used were all in identical sets

Method:
Risk Assessment
Hazard Risk Precaution
Beakers Beakers breaking, getting cut Handle carefully
Nails Being cut by sharp side of nail Handle carefully
Salt water Salt water stinging Handle carefully
scratches/wounds
Rusty Water Digestion/contact with wounds Handle carefully
Rusted nails Being cut with sharp side of Handle carefully
rusted nail

Results:
Observations

Results:
Table
Nail Type A Nail Type B Nail Type C Average
Original 5g 2g 1g 2 2/3
Water 7g 6g 5g 6
Fridge 5g 5g 3g 4 1/3
Soil 6g 5g 4g 5
Room Temp. 8g 6g 7g 7
Discussion:
References
Results:
Discussion:

Conclusion:
Bibliography:

Science Buddies Staff. "Rusting Out: How Acids Affect the Rate of Corrosion" Science
Buddies. Science Buddies, 24 Oct. 2014. Web. 20 Mar. 2015
<http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project_ideas/Chem_p079.shtml>