St.

Francis Xavier’s College

Form Five Chemistry Project (2010-2011)
Investigative Study
Proposal Form
Group Number:
Group members: Tsoi Yiu Chai 5E (31)
Kam Man Kwong 5C (15)
Lo Hang Hing 5C (24)
Ma Ka Chung 5C (27)
Aim:
To create the largest distinction between the rusted area and the unrusted area.

Reason(s) for carry out the investigation:

To find out the most efficient method of rusting

Chemistry behind:
Rust is a general term for a series of iron oxides. They are formed by the reaction of
iron and oxygen in the presence of water or air moisture. Rust consists of hydrated
iron(III) oxides Fe2O3·nH2O and iron(III) oxide-hydroxide (FeO(OH), Fe(OH)3).
Given sufficient time, oxygen, and water, any iron mass will convert to rust.Rusting is
the common term for corrosion of iron and its alloys, such as steel.

Associated reactions
The rusting of iron is an electrochemical process that begins with the transfer of
electrons from iron to oxygen. The rate of corrosion is affected by water and
accelerated by electrolytes. The key reaction is the reduction of oxygen:
O2 + 4 e- + 2 H2O → 4 OH-
Because it forms hydroxide ions, this process is strongly affected by the presence of
acid. Indeed, the corrosion of most metals by oxygen is accelerated at low pH.
Providing the electrons for the above reaction is the oxidation of iron that may be
described as follows:
Fe → Fe2+ + 2 e-
The following redox reaction also occurs in the presence of water and is crucial to the
formation of rust:

4 Fe2+ + O2 → 4 Fe3+ + 2 O2−

Additionally, the following multistep acid-base reactions affect the course of rust
formation:
 Fe2+ + 2 H2O → Fe(OH)2 + 2 H+
Fe3+ + 3 H2O → Fe(OH)3 + 3 H+

Fe(OH)2 → FeO + H2O

Fe(OH)3 → FeO(OH) + H2O
2 FeO(OH) → Fe2O3 + H2O
Factors affecting rust:
1. Presence of acidic solutions or soluble salts
2. Temperature
3. Contact with other metals
4. Shape of the metal

Method of indicating rust:

1. Using rust indicator
Potassium hexacyanoferrate (III) K3[Fe(CN)6], which is known as rust indicator,
can be used to observe rusting within minutes. At the start of rusting, iron forms
Fe2+ (aq) ions. The rust indicator is used as a sensitive test for Fe2+ (aq) ions,
forming a blue color. Thus, the appearance of a blue color indicates rusting.

2. Measuring mass difference

Since rusting of iron will form iron oxide on the iron metal surface, thus the mass
of the whole metal will change as rusting start. By measuring the mass difference,
we may estimate how serious the rusting are.

The number of experiments to be conducted: 3

1. Experiment on various types of electrolyte

Aim: To find out which electrolyte increase the rate of rusting most, among acid,
alkali and salt water

Independent variable: types of electrolyte

Dependent variable: Appearance of metal plate, mass change of metal plate
Control variable: Temperature and humidity of environment, surface area of metal
plate, and concentration of electrolyte, types of metal plates and time
for metal plates to rust
Apparatus and materials:
 Apparatus and materials Quantity and Molarity (if necessary)
Beaker (150mL) 3
Electronic balance 1
Iron plate (5cm X 5cm) 3
Salt water 20 cm3 / 0.5M
Hydrochloric acid (HCl) 20 cm3 / 0.5M
Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) 20 cm3 / 0.5M

Risk assessment:
Chemica Hazardous feature Prevention method
l
HCl corrosive Wash thoroughly after handling. Use
only in a well-ventilated area. Keep
container tightly closed.
NaOH corrosive Wash thoroughly after handling. Use
only in a well-ventilated area. Keep
container tightly closed.
Disposal of residues:
HCl will be pulled into the sink with running water.
NaOH will be pulled into the sink with running water.
Other chemical and unwanted apparatus will be thrown to the bin.

Procedure:
1. 20cm3 of salt water, HCl and NaOH are added into three different Beakers.
2. One metal plate is added into each Beaker
3. Appearances of metal plates are observed and mass changes are measured by
electronic balance after one week.

2. Experiment on various concentration of electrolyte

Aim: To find out which concentration of electrolyte increase the rate of rusting
most, among 0.5M, 1M and 2M
Independent variable: Concentration of electrolyte
Dependent variable: Appearance of metal plate, mass change of metal plate
Control variable: Temperature and humidity of environment, surface area of
metal plate, types of metal plates and time for metal plates to
rust and type of electrolyte
Apparatus and materials:
Apparatus and materials Quantity and Molarity (if necessary)
Beaker (150mL) 3
Electronic balance 1
Iron plate (5cm X 5cm) 3
Salt water 20 cm3 / 0.5M
Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) 20 cm3 / 1M
Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) 20 cm3 / 2M

Risk assessment:
NaOH corrosive Wash thoroughly after handling. Use
only in a well-ventilated area. Keep
container tightly closed.
Disposal of residues:
NaOH will be pulled into the sink with running water.
Other chemical and unwanted apparatus will be thrown to the bin.

Procedure:
1. 20cm3of 0.5M NaOH, 1M NaOH and 2M NaOH are added into three different
Beakers.
2. One metal plate is added into each Beaker
3. Appearances of metal plates are observed and mass changes are measured by
electronic balance after one week.

3. Experiment on various temperature

Aim: To find out the rate of rusting of various temperatures, thus indicating the
optimum temperature for rusting.
Independent variable: Temperature of the environment
Dependent variable: Appearance of metal plate, mass change of metal plate
Control variable: Surface area of metal plate, types of metal plates
Apparatus and materials:
Apparatus and materials Quantity and Molarity (if necessary)
Beaker (150mL) 3
Electronic balance 1
Iron plate (5cm X 5cm) 3
Thermometer 3
Ice water (0 C)
。
4 pieces, around 2cm3
Hot water (100℃) 100 cm3
Tap water (25℃) 100 cm3

Procedures:
1. Hot water, ice water and tap water are filled into three Beakers separately.
2. One metal plate is added into each Beaker.
3. Appearances of metal plates are observed and mass changes are measured by
electronic balance after one week.

4. Experiment on various metal contact

Although sacrificial protection is effective on prevent rusting of iron, we would not

examine it after consideration. It is because this task is to create the largest distinction
between the rusted area and the unrusted area. However, sacrificial protection can only
protect the whole iron plate but a particular part. Thus, we would do treat sacrificial
protection as a factor of the task.

After several experiment for investigating different factors that affecting rusting, we
are going to combine them into one experiment in order to get the ultimate result that
half of the metal rusted while another half does not.

Apparatus and materials:

Apparatus and materials Quantity and Molarity (if necessary)
Beaker (150mL) 1
Electronic balance 1
Iron plate (5cm X 5cm) 1
Water bather 1
Electrolyte 100 cm3
Paint 100 cm3
 Wire 1
Clamp and stand 1 set

Procedures:
1. The Best electrolyte with the optimum concentration is added into beaker.
2. Oil is added into beaker.
3. The iron plate is half painted with oil and is half attached with the most suitable
metal.
4. The iron plate is hanged with a wire which the painted part is soaked on the layer of
oil and the metal attached part is soaked on the electrolyte solution.
5. Beaker is kept into water bath at optimum temperature for several days.
6. Observation is taken and recorded.

Expected results and findings:

The ideal result should be making the iron plate would get half rusted and half do not
rust.

Reasons for making prediction:

In this experiment, we expect the most rusted iron metal will form. It is because we
have considered most of the workable factors affecting rusting. After combining all
the investigation of the above experiment, we can deduce the optimum environment
for the most rusted iron formed and do them all to get the final product.

Major references:
Rust Chemistry
http://www.corrosion-doctors.org/Experiments/rust-chemistry.htm
Chemical formula of rusting
http://www.chemicalformula.org/rust
Prevent Rusting
http://www.howtoprevent.com/misc/how-to-prevent-rust/