Science Projects Involving the Rusting of Metals
The rusting of metals is an excellent topic to explore with a science project, since rust formation is very much a chemical process. With an inquisitive mind and the right project idea, you can explore the causes of rust and find metals that may be resistant or susceptible to its effects. Experiments conducted regarding rust can help designers and builders create structures that are more resistant to the damage it can cause, or at the very least teach some of the basic science behind why things rust.
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Liquids and Rust
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Grab a bag of iron nails and a few disposable plastic cups. Fill each cup with a different liquid – tap water, salt water, vinegar, soda and orange juice – and the nails, and set the cups in a place where they will not be disturbed. Check back in on the nails each day to track the progress of rust growth; you should begin to see a clear difference among the liquids just about a week after beginning. You can use this experiment to determine which liquids are most harmful to metals.
Preventing Rust
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Salt water is notorious for causing rust, but with the right materials, you may be able to slow down or even prevent the growth of rust on materials exposed to salt water. Fill several small cups with salt water and pick out a few iron nails to be submerged. Before you drop them into the solution, coat each one with a different substance, leaving one untouched for the control. Add motor oil, lubricant, glue, paint and any other liquid you can think of to see if it can stop a nail from rusting.
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Testing Metals
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Most designers know that certain types of metals are more susceptible to rust than others. You can test this knowledge for yourself with a simple experiment. Fill a jar with a salt water solution and place it to the side. Select five or six samples of different types of metal – steel, iron, copper and aluminum – and drop all of them into the jar. Check the jar every day to track which of the metals are rusting the most quickly, and which seem to be immune to the effects of rust.
Removing Rust
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Rust, unlike paint or dirt, is a chemical process that interacts with the metal instead of just sitting on its surface. If left unchecked, rust will eventually eat through the metal, dissolving the structure. Removing rust from buildings and bridges is critical in keeping people safe, so finding an effective method for removing rust is an important step in metal maintenance. Rust a few iron nails in a salt water solution for two weeks, then try rust remover, vinegar, baking soda, plain water, a potato and cleaning chemicals as rust-erasing tools. Record which is most effective and present the data to your class.
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References
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