Question
You will plan, design, and conduct your own investigation of rusting to determine whether certain conditions or substances speed up or slow down the rate of rusting and whether a redox reaction occurred. You will use steel wool, which contains iron, to conduct your investigation. Read the directions and review the key words for this lesson as you answer the following about your investigation.
Step 1: Scientific Question
Write a scientific question that you want to answer during your investigation. As you write, remember these tips about good scientific questions:
• They are clear and focused.
• They are objective and do not include opinions.
• They can be measured or tested (i.e., answered by gathering data).
• They include an independent and dependent variable.
Now, ask yourself these questions:
• What do I want to investigate about the rusting process?
• How does identifying the oxidized/reduced species help me create my question?
• Will this reaction be redox?
What is your scientific question?
How does the presence of different acids affect the rate of rusting in steel wool over a period of one week
Step 2: Materials
Review this partial list of materials. Then, answer the following questions.
• Clear nail polish or varnish
• Lemon juice
• Table salt
• Vegetable oil
• Vinegar
• Water
• Weather-resistant acrylic craft paint
Why do you think these materials are suggested? What effects will they have on rusting?
What substances or items did you select for your investigation? You should test at least three substances or items in your investigation.
Step 1: Scientific Question
Write a scientific question that you want to answer during your investigation. As you write, remember these tips about good scientific questions:
• They are clear and focused.
• They are objective and do not include opinions.
• They can be measured or tested (i.e., answered by gathering data).
• They include an independent and dependent variable.
Now, ask yourself these questions:
• What do I want to investigate about the rusting process?
• How does identifying the oxidized/reduced species help me create my question?
• Will this reaction be redox?
What is your scientific question?
How does the presence of different acids affect the rate of rusting in steel wool over a period of one week
Step 2: Materials
Review this partial list of materials. Then, answer the following questions.
• Clear nail polish or varnish
• Lemon juice
• Table salt
• Vegetable oil
• Vinegar
• Water
• Weather-resistant acrylic craft paint
Why do you think these materials are suggested? What effects will they have on rusting?
What substances or items did you select for your investigation? You should test at least three substances or items in your investigation.
Answers
GPT-4o mini
### Step 1: Scientific Question
My scientific question is:
**How does the presence of different acids (lemon juice and vinegar) and salt water affect the rate of rusting in steel wool over a period of one week?**
### Justification:
1. **Clear and Focused**: The question specifically addresses the influence of acids and salt on the rusting process.
2. **Objective and Non-Opinion Based**: The question does not involve any subjective statements; it is based on measurable observations.
3. **Measurable/Testable**: The rate of rusting can be measured by assessing the weight or color change of the steel wool.
4. **Independent/Dependent Variables**: The independent variable is the type of substance applied to the steel wool (lemon juice, vinegar, salt water), and the dependent variable is the rate of rusting, which can be quantified.
### Step 2: Materials
#### Suggested Materials and Their Effects:
The materials suggested (nail polish, lemon juice, table salt, vegetable oil, vinegar, water, and weather-resistant acrylic craft paint) are likely included for the following reasons:
1. **Clear Nail Polish or Varnish**: It can create a barrier that prevents moisture from reaching the steel wool, thus slowing rusting.
2. **Lemon Juice and Vinegar**: These are both acidic substances that can potentially accelerate rusting due to their ability to increase the concentration of hydrogen ions, which facilitates the oxidation of iron.
3. **Table Salt**: Saltwater (salt dissolved in water) can increase conductivity and enhance corrosion, speeding up the rusting process.
4. **Vegetable Oil**: This could create a barrier against moisture, potentially preventing rusting.
5. **Water**: Necessary for the rusting process, as oxygen and moisture are required for iron to oxidize.
6. **Weather-resistant Acrylic Craft Paint**: Similar to nail polish, it can form a protective coat over the steel wool to inhibit rusting.
#### Selected Substances for Investigation:
For my investigation, I have selected the following three substances that I will test:
1. **Lemon Juice**: An acidic solution that may accelerate rusting.
2. **Vinegar**: Another acidic solution, like lemon juice, that can promote rusting.
3. **Salt Water**: A saline solution that can enhance corrosion due to its ionic nature.
### Summary of Investigation Plan:
- **Independent Variable**: The type of substance (lemon juice, vinegar, salt water).
- **Dependent Variable**: The rate of rusting, measured through changes in the appearance, weight, or oxidation level of the steel wool over one week.
- **Controlled Variables**: Amount and surface area of the steel wool, environmental conditions (temperature, humidity), duration of exposure, and concentration of the solutions used.
This will help me determine the effect of these substances on the rate of rusting and whether there is a redox reaction occurring in the process.
My scientific question is:
**How does the presence of different acids (lemon juice and vinegar) and salt water affect the rate of rusting in steel wool over a period of one week?**
### Justification:
1. **Clear and Focused**: The question specifically addresses the influence of acids and salt on the rusting process.
2. **Objective and Non-Opinion Based**: The question does not involve any subjective statements; it is based on measurable observations.
3. **Measurable/Testable**: The rate of rusting can be measured by assessing the weight or color change of the steel wool.
4. **Independent/Dependent Variables**: The independent variable is the type of substance applied to the steel wool (lemon juice, vinegar, salt water), and the dependent variable is the rate of rusting, which can be quantified.
### Step 2: Materials
#### Suggested Materials and Their Effects:
The materials suggested (nail polish, lemon juice, table salt, vegetable oil, vinegar, water, and weather-resistant acrylic craft paint) are likely included for the following reasons:
1. **Clear Nail Polish or Varnish**: It can create a barrier that prevents moisture from reaching the steel wool, thus slowing rusting.
2. **Lemon Juice and Vinegar**: These are both acidic substances that can potentially accelerate rusting due to their ability to increase the concentration of hydrogen ions, which facilitates the oxidation of iron.
3. **Table Salt**: Saltwater (salt dissolved in water) can increase conductivity and enhance corrosion, speeding up the rusting process.
4. **Vegetable Oil**: This could create a barrier against moisture, potentially preventing rusting.
5. **Water**: Necessary for the rusting process, as oxygen and moisture are required for iron to oxidize.
6. **Weather-resistant Acrylic Craft Paint**: Similar to nail polish, it can form a protective coat over the steel wool to inhibit rusting.
#### Selected Substances for Investigation:
For my investigation, I have selected the following three substances that I will test:
1. **Lemon Juice**: An acidic solution that may accelerate rusting.
2. **Vinegar**: Another acidic solution, like lemon juice, that can promote rusting.
3. **Salt Water**: A saline solution that can enhance corrosion due to its ionic nature.
### Summary of Investigation Plan:
- **Independent Variable**: The type of substance (lemon juice, vinegar, salt water).
- **Dependent Variable**: The rate of rusting, measured through changes in the appearance, weight, or oxidation level of the steel wool over one week.
- **Controlled Variables**: Amount and surface area of the steel wool, environmental conditions (temperature, humidity), duration of exposure, and concentration of the solutions used.
This will help me determine the effect of these substances on the rate of rusting and whether there is a redox reaction occurring in the process.