CHM01 Lab: Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory Module

(Week 15)

Title: Corrosion

Evaluation:

Part I. Instructions. Put a title on the table on corrosion and record your observations.

Table 1. Nails That Rust (the rusting process of iron and galvanized nails)

Set-up 1st Day 2nd Day 3rd Day 4th day 5th day 6th Day 7th Day

Air No sign of No sign of The iron nail The rusting The rust Some part the The iron nail
only changes changes started to has gradually continue to iron nail has has produced
/reaction, /reaction, produce some increased. increased rust ,while more rust than
occurred occurred reddish brown there’s a bit the galvanized
stain( rust) traces of rust one.
on the
galvanized nail
No sign of No sign of No sign of
Drying changes changes changes The iron nail the rusting has Some part the The iron nail
agent /reaction, /reaction, /reaction, started to get increasing iron nail has produced a
occurred occurred occurred rusty more gradually rust, while lightly amount
there was no of rust, while
trace of rust on the galvanized
the galvanized nail did not at
nail. all
No sign of
Water changes The iron nail The galvanized The rusting for The rusting Most layer of Among each
/reaction, started to nail has also both nails continues to the iron nail set-ups this
+ air started to
occurred produce rust were quite increase has rust, while one has
produce rust, faster than the rapidly. there was produced the
while the iron
nail continue to
other set-ups some part for most amount
rust the galvanized of rust( both
nail. nails)
No sign of No sign of No sign of
Salt changes changes changes The iron nail The rusting Some part the The iron nail
water /reaction, /reaction, /reaction, started to has gradually iron nail has produced a
occurred occurred occurred produce rust increased rust, while lightly amount
+ air there was no of rust, while
trace of rust on the galvanized
the galvanized nail did not at
nail. all.
No sign of No sign of No sign of No sign of No sign of
Water changes changes changes changes changes The iron nail Among each
only /reaction, /reaction, /reaction, /reaction, /reaction, has produced set-ups, this
occurred occurred occurred occurred occurred a bit of rust, one has
while there produced the
was no trace least amount
of rust on the of rust.( iron
galvanized nail only)
nail.
Part II. Instructions. Answer the following questions briefly.

1. Which set-up produced the most amount of rust? Why do you think so?

The set-up that produced the most amount of rust is the set-up 3; since it contains two of
the factors that trigger metals from rusting which is the water and air.

2. Which set-up produced the least amount of rust? Why do you think so?

The set-up that produces the least amount of rust is the set-up 5 (Water only), it is due to oil
that blocks the air that is needed for rusting, furthermore oil is also an example of
protective coating agent for corrosion.

3. Which among the five set-ups produced rust? What is commonly present in these set-ups?

All the five set-ups has produced rust; I have notice that each nails produced reddish brown
colour stain that coated its layers, moreover, each set-up contains mostly of water and air
which are the factors that triggers rusting, as well as,

4. How are the iron nails and galvanized nails different from each other in every set-up?

What differentiates them from each set-up was the duration of time that it undergone
rusting and the amount of rust that has being present.

5. What is the importance of galvanization in the prevention of corrosion?

Galvanization provides a barrier that prevents the steels/metals being exposed to

atmospheric conditions that causes corrosion.

6. When cleaning metal tools, oil is usually rubbed in these materials after drying. Explain the reason
behind this practice.

Through applying oil in steel/ metal tools, it prevents the tools from rusting, since oil is one
of an example of protective coating agent.
Part III. Instructions. Paste the pictures taken during the experiment here

MATERIALS
Containers Iron and Galvanized nails

EVALUATION

Day 1 Day 7

Air Only Drying Agent

 Water Only Salt Water + Air

Water + Air

Part IV. Instructions. Write a 300-word explanation/ essay on why automobile bodies get rusty easily
near coastal areas.

Why Automobile Bodies get rusty easily near Coastal Areas?

It is probably noticeable that steel or metal tools, apparatuses, engines are veritably prone
from rusting, which is a common form of corrosion that occurs due to exposure to iron, oxygen and
water. We might be aware of certain conditions that encourage metal tools to rust faster or to obtain
rust even if it has a protective coating, and some or even most of us probably notice that automobile
bodies near coastal area tend to rust more than those that are in inland. So we might wonder how
does it occurs, and what are the certain causes?

Certain environmental factors present in coastal areas accelerate automobile bodies’

corrosion, and we may presume that water and air are the most common factor that can trigger
rusting, since it causes metal to oxidized, however the major factor that accelerate and contributes in
the occurrence of rust is the air that contains salt particles why? It is because salt create a more
conductive environment, and the electrons move more easily in salt water. Vehicles being exposed in
direct heat of sun, scratches and scrape off paint from improper maintenance have also minor
contribution for occurrence of rusting, through increasing the pores of the paint coating; it resulted in
greater absorption of salty moisture.

Although it might be quite difficult to fully prevent automobiles from rusting, however there are
some sort of preventive measures that can slow down its process, that includes regular monitoring of
the vehicle’s condition such as frequent washing, rust-roofing, seal scratches, applying more durable
and effective paint coating and as much as possible park it in a close garage or used a vehicle cover.
Coastal location may not considerably ideal for automobile bodies, however if you understand why
the rusting happens, its possible causes, you can take appropriate action to limit or much better
prevent the rusting process on the said vehicles.