L2 Plumbing Unit 4 Apply scientific principles within mechanical services engineering

Unit 4: Activity Sheet 4.3

Pressure, water and corrosion
Tutor guidance notes
Aims and objectives At the end of activities 4.3A and 4.3B, learners should be able to: describe what is meant by pressure describe what is meant by atmospheric pressure state the main properties of water state the meaning and importance of pH value explain the main effects of corrosion and recognise the main types of corrosion affecting plumbing systems and components explain what is meant by electrolytic action.

The activity is divided into two parts: a set of questions (activity 4.3A) followed by a multiple-choice exercise (4.3B). They are not intended as formal assessment. However, the answers should be discussed with learners as a group to ensure they fully understand the topic. The activity can be used in different ways, for example: during the session, either individually or in pairs, as a to-the-point learning tool at the end of a session to recap learning as homework.

Activity 4.3B could be used at the beginning of a subsequent session to link with prior learning. Whichever teaching method is chosen, it is advisable to set and agree a completion date for each activity.

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L2 Plumbing Unit 4 Apply scientific principles within mechanical services engineering

Unit 4: Activity Sheet 4.3

Activity 4.3A Pressure, water and corrosion
Answer the following questions.
1 What is the definition of pressure? Pressure is defined as force applied per unit area and is measured in newtons per square metre (N/m), a unit also known as a Pascal (Pa). 2 What does the term atmospheric pressure mean? Atmospheric pressure is exerted by the weight of the Earths atmosphere pressing down on the ground and varies depending on the height above sea level. Workshop-based investigation: Set up the simple experiment below to show the effect of atmospheric pressure.

Step 1: Put a small amount of water in a resealable metal can. Step 2: Boil the water until the can contains only steam. Step 3: Seal the neck of the can with a bung or screw-top cap. Step 4: Place the can under cold water watch what happens.
2

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L2 Plumbing Unit 4 Apply scientific principles within mechanical services engineering

Write a brief report about what you observed, suggesting reasons for what occurred. Learners own answer.

Which two chemicals make up water? What is the chemical symbol for water? Water is a compound of two gases, hydrogen and oxygen (H2O).

b As rainwater is naturally solvent to begin with, how does it become more solvent? Rainwater contains nitrogen, oxygen and carbon dioxide from the air. In towns, rainwater also contains dissolved soot and other pollutants. 5 Explain the term soft water. Water is said to be soft when it is easy to produce lather with soap. 6 Explain the term hard water. Water is classified as hard if it is difficult to produce lather with soap. Hard water is created when rain falls on ground containing calcium carbonate or sulfates. 7 Complete the table below with the type of water hardness being described. Type of hardness Temporary Description Responsible for hard scale which accumulates on the inside of boilers and circulating pipes, restricting the flow of water, reducing the efficiency of appliances and components and ultimately causing damage and system failure. Occurs as a result of the natural solvency of pure water which enables it to dissolve the sulphates of limestone. It causes the normal problems associated with hard water (difficult to form lather with soap and detergents).

Permanent

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L2 Plumbing Unit 4 Apply scientific principles within mechanical services engineering

Do you live and work in a hard-water area or a soft-water area? Learners own answer. (Note: the information can usually be found on the local water utilities website.)

b Why is hard water a problem for plumbing systems? The hard scale accumulates inside boilers and circulation pipes, restricting the flow of water and reducing the efficiency of appliances and components. 9 Workshop-based investigation: Set up the simple experiment below to show the effect of pH values. Select a range of everyday substances, e.g. vinegar, lemon, soap, heatingsystem inhibitor, etc. If possible, include a selection of variety of soil from different locations. Allow the soil to absorb some water. Use litmus paper to check the acidity and alkalinity of each substance. Explain the meaning and importance of pH values. Learners own answer. 10 Practical demonstration: Your tutor will show you examples of atmospheric corrosion, including an example of attack on ferrous metals. a What effect does living near the coast have on materials? Sea salt (sodium chloride) corrodes metals such as aluminium. b What is patina? Patina is a protective layer that forms naturally on non-ferrous metals. c Why do we get atmospheric corrosion inside systems such as heating systems and sealed systems? Water naturally corrodes ferrous metals, which rust on contact with water, forming black ferrous oxide and red rust. 11 Workshop-based investigation: Set up the simple experiment below to show another form of corrosion. Your tutor will show you a previously prepared glass container with a screw lid. Inside there is a 100 mm or 150 mm iron nail and a copper fitting or coin. If you look closely, you will see rust on the nail and brown iron oxide deposits on the base of the glass container. a Name the type of corrosion seen on the nail. Electrolytic corrosion.

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L2 Plumbing Unit 4 Apply scientific principles within mechanical services engineering

b A plumber found that similar corrosion in a heating system caused pinholes in some of the radiators. Why did the iron in the radiators break down and not the copper pipework? Copper is higher in the electromotives series than iron. Therefore, iron corrodes much faster than copper. c The system the plumber was working on was only a few years old. He found that the water in the system contained traces of flux. What effect might the flux have had on the problem? Flux will increase the acidity of the electrolyte (water) causing corrosion to speed up. 12 Practical demonstration: Your tutor will show you a selection of Type A and Type B brass fittings, and explain to you how a process called dezincification can break down an incorrectly installed below-ground fitting. Dezincification is a type of electrolytic corrosion. 13 Certain building materials and underground conditions can be corrosive. Complete the sentences below by drawing a line between each building material/underground condition and its effects. Building material/ underground conditions Some types of wood (such as oak) Latex cement and foamed concrete Certain types of soil Heavy clay soils Ground containing ash and cinders Effects is very corrosive as they are strongly alkaline if pipes are to be laid in such ground they should be wrapped in protective material. can damage underground pipe work. have a corrosive effect on lead. will adversely affect copper. may contain sulfates which can corrode lead, steel and copper.

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L2 Plumbing Unit 4 Apply scientific principles within mechanical services engineering

Activity 4.3B Pressure, water and corrosion

Circle the correct answer in each of the questions below. 1 If you know that the water in a domestic property contains a high percentage of calcium carbonate, you would expect the water to be: a soft. b hard. c neutral. d mineral rich. 2 The pH scale is used to measure: a pressure. b acidity and alkalinity. c tension. d heat loss. 3 Exposed iron drainage pipework in an industrial town would be more at risk from corrosion because of higher atmospheric levels of: a calcium carbonate. b copper sulfate. c potassium permanganate. d sulfur dioxide.

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L2 Plumbing Unit 4 Apply scientific principles within mechanical services engineering

The protective sulfate coating that forms around non-ferrous metals and protects them from further corrosion is known as: a patina. b rust. c galvanise. d electrolyte.

The material that is destroyed through electrolytic corrosion is called the: a anode. b cathode. c electrolyte. d reductor.

What wood will corrode lead? a Soft wood. b Oak. c Nettle wood. d Solvent origana.

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