Lab-Aids: Investigating the Chemistry of Corrosion Kit
This is a two-part investigation into the chemical concepts that underlie corrosion and our attempts to inhibit it. In the laboratory portion of this activity, students investigate the corrosion of iron, steel, aluminum, and zinc metal. They investigate the impact of factors such as salinity, coatings, and contact with other metals on rust and corrosion. Students also complete a reading that describes some conditions that affects the rate of corrosion of iron and steel and several chemical principles associated with these conditions. The activity concludes with a discussion of the impact of corrosion on materials and the environment. Developed by SEPUP.
Scientific Concepts:
Substances react chemically in characteristic ways with other substances to form new substances (compounds) with different characteristic properties
Metals are a group of substances that react in similar ways. Corrosion is one type of reaction that affects metals
Metal corrosion is an example of an oxidation-reduction (redox) reaction, which involves the transfer of electrons
Students summarize results of an investigation and form a logical argument about the cause-and-effect relationships in the investigation
Content List:
1Teacher's Guide with MSDS
28Student Worksheets and Guides
1003.25-ounce plastic cups and lids
48Iron nails
24Packets of salt
12Stainless steel nails
12Aluminum nails
12Galvanized nails
12Pieces of steel wool
610 cm (4) pieces of 20-gauge copper wire
610 cm (4) pieces of magnesium ribbon
610 cm x 2 cm (4 x 1) pieces of aluminum foil
630-mL graduated cups
6Tweezers
6Plastic spoons
6Pieces of sand paper
6Magnifying lenses
2Denatured ethyl alcohol, 60-mL bottle
1Cooking oil, 30-mL bottle
Classroom Planning:
To complete the two activities in this kit requires two to three ~50-minute class periods.