1. Module 3

1.23. Page 5

Lesson 4

Module 3—Electrochemical Reactions

Lesson 4 Lab: Conditions Affecting the Corrosion of Iron 

 

Problem

 

Do various conditions influence the corrosion of iron?

 

Purpose

 

To investigate conditions that influence the corrosion of iron objects and to determine if the chemical change observed can be explained using concepts discussed in this module.

 

Retrieve your copy of the Module 3: Lesson 4 Assignment that you saved to your computer earlier in this lesson. Complete Part 2 as you work through the following investigation. When you have finished, save your completed Assignment in your course folder. You will receive instructions later on when to complete the rest of this Assignment.

 

Materials

  • steel wool
  • acetone
  • 100-mL beaker
  • six nails
  • six 13 mm × 100 mm test tubes
  • two rubber stoppers
  • test tube rack
  • NaOH(aq)
  • HCl(aq)
  • NaCl(aq)
  • deionized (distilled) water
  • deaerated water
  • safety glasses
  • lab apron

If you have access to the materials listed, you may be able to perform this investigation.


If you do not have access to these materials and a supervised laboratory, or if you would like to see the lab performed before you attempt it, view the virtual investigation “Lesson 4 Lab: Conditions Affecting the Corrosion of Iron.” If you will not be completing the lab youself, remember to record data and observations as you view the presentation.

 

Procedure


Step 1: Measure 25 mL of acetone.

 

Step 2: Clean six nails with steel wool, and place the nails in the acetone. Use forceps to remove the nails and then set the nails on a paper towel to dry.

 

Step 3: Set six 13 mm × 100 mm test tubes in a test tube rack.

 

Step 4: Into five of the test tubes, transfer approximately 6 mL of the following solutions: distilled water, HCl(aq), NaCl(aq), NaOH(aq), and deaerated water. Label each test tube with the name of its contents.

 

Step 5: Label the sixth test tube “air.”

 

Step 6: Place a clean, dry nail in each test tube, and place a stopper in tubes 5 (dearerated water) and 6 (air).

 

Step 7: Set the rack containing the test tubes and nails aside for 24 hours.

 

Step 8: Observe the results, including solution colour, nail colour, and nail integrity. Record your observation in the data section in the Module 3: Lesson 4 Assignment.

 

Module 3: Lesson 4 Assignment

 

If you have not already done so, retrieve your copy of the Module 3: Lesson 4 Assignment that you saved to your computer earlier in this lesson. Complete Part 2. You will receive information later in the lesson on when to complete Part 3 of the Assignment and when to submit your work to your teacher.