Proposal For Chemistry Project

Members :
1. Angely Qunyun
2. Chan Zhi Shuan
3. Cheong Li En

Theme : The usage and application of electrochemistry

Topic : Prevention of corrosion

Problem statement : How cathodic protection helps in the prevention of corrosion?

Aim : To investigate the effectiveness of cathodic protection in the prevention of corrosion.

Variable :
Manipulated variable : Types of anode
Responding variable: The effectiveness of anode in prevention of corrosion
Constant variable : Type of cathode

Method of analysis : Redox Reaction

Theory :
Cathodic protection is a method protecting a metal from corrosion by making it the cathode in an
electrochemical cell. Cathodic protection is also known as electrical protection. The metal that is
oxidised while protecting the cathode is called the sacrificial anode.

In cathodic protection, iron acts as the cathode protected from rusting and metals which are more
electropositive than iron are used as the sacrificial anode. The more electropositive metals are
𝑜
oxidised instead of iron as their electrode potential, 𝐸 values are more negative than iron,
𝑜
( 𝐸 = -0.44V). In this method, the sacrificial metal which acts as the anode needs to be replaced
from time to time to prevent rusting of iron.

Apparatus :
5 test tubes, test tube rack, maker, vaseline, small paint brush

Materials :
Distilled water, sandpaper, 5 iron nails, zinc foil, magnesium ribbon, copper foil, aluminium foil,
paint, plastic film, corrosion indicator
Procedure :
1. Label the 5 test tubes using a maker with labels A, B, C, D, and E.
2. Select 5 iron nails which do not show the sign of rusting. Clean the iron nails thoroughly
using sandpapers.
3. Place one nail as the control of the experiment into test tube A.
4. Wrap one iron nail with a thin plastic film and paint the nail. Let the nail dry.
5. Coat the nail with vaseline after the paint dries.
6. Wrap the nail with a small piece of zinc foil and place it into the test tube B.
7. Carefully pour the corrosion indicator into the test tube B, completely covering the nail.
After that, leave the nail for at least half an hour.
8. Repeat steps 4 to 7 by using magnesium ribbon, copper foil and aluminium foil.
9. Observe the condition of the nails and record the results of the experiment in the table
provided.

Safety Precautions :
1. Ensure that the corrosion indicator is warm and be careful when pouring the indicator
into the test tubes.
2. Ensure that the nails in the experiment are identical and should be iron rather than
stainless steel.
3. Ensure that the paint must not be water soluble and should ideally dry quickly.