THE RUSTING OF IRON

Introduction
There are ninety two elements found in nature. More than 80% of these are known as
metals or metallic elements. Metal atoms loose some of their electrons to combine with
other elements, in particular with oxygen. This process is called the “oxidation” of a
metal. This happens at different rates according to the reactivity of the metal as we have
already studied. Atmospheric agents are to blame for the oxidation of metallic
structures. We call this weathering of metals “corrosion”. The photographs below show
the effects of metal corrosion in iron and copper.

Oxidation of iron and other metals occurs when iron heated on a strong flame but not
usually at room temperature. Nevertheless we see that some metals (copper, iron, steel
especially) form oxides if kept outdoors. This is due to the action of atmospheric agents
other than oxygen favouring this process as told before. Particularly in the case of iron
the oxide formed is called “rust” and the chemical change is called “rusting”.
The rusting of iron is a complex chemical change; it is not combining with oxygen as
when iron is heated, but a series of reactions in which humidity (atmospheric moisture)
is as important as air. .Other substances may influence the rusting of iron (e.g. salt).
To prevent rusting, sometimes a second more easily corroding metal is attached to iron.
The metal will rust instead of it. This process is called sacrificial protection
Aims
To determine some factors that affect the rusting of iron.

Lab ware
Test tubes, stoppers, a test tube rack, glass rod, watch glasses.

Procedure
1- Put an iron nail (or some iron wool) in each of four different test tubes.
2- Add one of them with 1 ml of distilled water close with a rubber stopper and
keep in a rack till next week.
3- Add a spatula measure of anhydrous calcium chloride to the second one, close
with a rubber stopper and keep till next week.
4- Boil some distilled water in a 50 ml beaker for 2 – 3 minutes. Cover it with a
watch glass and let it cool down without shaking or moving.
5- Cover the nail (iron wool) in the third test tube with this recently boiled water
and add it with 1 ml kerosene to prevent oxygen from dissolving in the water.
Close with a rubber stopper and keep it till next week.
6- After a week observe the four test tubes and draw your own conclusions about
the factors affecting iron rusting.
7- You can dry and stick the four samples to your report.