Details details

The aim of the experiment I did was based on the corrosion of iron gun nails in 5 different liquids. The hypothesis was that objects with a higher iron content would rust the fastest and the most in an oxygen-abundant, humid atmosphere

The materials needed were:
-10 plastic cups
-2 trays
-20 nails
-blu-tak
-oil
-white vinegar
-salt water
-tap water
-methylated spirits

2 trials were undertaken. 5 cups were used for each trial with 2 nails in each cup. the cups were labelled accordingly, with the name of the liquid and trial number. In each cup, there was one nail fully submerged, and another nail in the same cup immersed in the liquid. (half in, half out).
The nails were then left for a total of 7 days for each trial and then the results and observations of discolouration and corrosion were recorded in a table.

I found that the vinegar was the most effective liquid out of the 5 tested, that corroded the iron gun nails the fastest and the most. All the immersed nails were found to be more corroded than the fully submerged nails. Also, the methylated spirits, being a spirit, evaporated before the full 7 days, so the result for the methylated spirits was not as accurate as I would have wanted it to be.

The immersed nails in white vinegar most likely corroded more as vinegar is high in oxygen and being immersed, the nail was exposed to a more humid, oxygen-rich environment, which hastens the corrosion, expecially on iron.

Iron is the strongest and most abundant element and by finding a way to prevent this corrosion in iron in its pure form will contribute to both the scientific and economic world. Using iron in its pure form without it rusting over time is best as it is strogner than any compound which may have iron particles in it.

Overall, the experiment took 14 days to complete the 2 trials and my room smelt like nail polish mixed with salt and vinegar chips. This was not good at all, although I did learn a great deal by doing this experiment.

Next time I do something like this, I will definitely be much mre organised as I now know what it is like to undergo and officially compelte an SRP.

Until next time, ta.