Rusting
Contents
Key Stage 2
Meaning
Rusting is a chemical reaction where Iron turns redish-brown.
About Rusting
- Rusting is an irreversible change.
- Iron needs water and air to rust.
- We paint Iron to stop it from rusting.
Examples
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 |
| These gears were shiny but the Iron has rusted. | This pipe was painted to stop it rusting but where the paint has been damaged the Iron has started to rust. |
Experiments
- Place 5 Iron nails in different conditions in sealed containers.
- 1 nail in a test tube with a small amount of water and air.
- 1 nail in a test tube with a small amount of salty water and air.
- 1 nail in a test tube with air and some dry rice to keep the air dry.
- 1 nail in a test tube full of water to keep the nail submerged.
- 1 nail wrapped in plasticine to stop any water or air getting to it. (Dipped in wax will also work).
References
AQA
- Rusting, pages 220-221, GCSE Chemistry; Third Edition, Oxford University Press, AQA
- Rusting, pages 258-9, GCSE Chemistry, Hodder, AQA
- Rusting, pages, 338-9, GCSE Chemistry; Student Book, Collins, AQA