Dr. Yung wants you to explain what the reddish-brown substance is to the people of Westfield.

Question

As you write your argument, remember to:

● state your claim about the identity of the reddish-brown substance.

● use evidence from both your observations and the atomic-scale models to support your

claim.

● include the vocabulary words listed below in your argument.

Chapter 1 Question: What is the reddish-brown substance in the water?

Claim 1: The reddish-brown substance is the same as the substance that makes up the

pipes.

Claim 2: The reddish-brown substance is the same substance as the fertilizer.

Claim 3: The reddish-brown substance is not the same as either the fertilizer or the

substance that makes up the pipes.

Write an argument for the people of Westfield identifying the reddish-brown substance.

Name:

Date:

Word Bank

atom

model

property

substance

Answer 1

Argument for the People of Westfield

Claim: The reddish-brown substance in the water is the same as the substance that makes up the pipes.

To support this claim, we can examine the properties of the reddish-brown substance and compare them to those of the material used in the pipes. Observations show that the reddish-brown substance has a metallic sheen and a distinct rust-like color, which is characteristic of iron oxide, commonly found in corroded iron pipes. The atomic-scale models of iron atoms reveal that they bond together to form a solid structure, which aligns with the fractured appearance of the substance.

Additionally, when we consider the environment, iron from the pipes can leach into the water, especially if the water is slightly acidic or has low mineral content. This process occurs due to the breakdown of iron particles at the atomic level, which can lead to the reddish-brown discoloration observed in the water supply.

In summary, the consistent properties observed in the reddish-brown substance, along with atomic-scale models showing its similarity to iron oxide, strongly suggest that this substance originates from the corroded pipes within our water system, not from fertilizers or any other materials.

References to Vocabulary:

• Atom: The reddish-brown substance is primarily composed of iron atoms, which are part of the pipes.
• Model: The atomic-scale model of iron supports the identification of the substance as iron oxide.
• Property: The rust-like color and metallic sheen are key properties that link the reddish-brown substance to the pipe material.
• Substance: The reddish-brown substance is identified as an iron oxide, a specific type of substance indicative of pipe corrosion.

By understanding these observations and models, we can assure the people of Westfield that the reddish-brown substance is indeed related to the materials used in our water delivery system.