We’ve all seen something that has rusted. Usually, it’s something old that has been outside for a very long period of time. But what would happen if you could make something rust very quickly? How would it feel to be able to touch the object while the rust reaction was happening? If you have ever made a homemade volcano, you know that it’s exciting and messy. Do you think a homemade volcano could ever give off heat like a real volcano?
Created by Olena Panasovska from Noun Project
Student Guide
Rusted Out and Blown Up
Experimenting with the effects of rust
How will hot and cold water move when they are placed together?
This resource was originally published in PhysicsQuest 2019: Heat.
How will hot and cold water move when they are placed together?
- Packets of vinegar (2)
- Steel wool
- Clear plastic bag
- Liquid crystal thermometers (2)
- Self inflating balloon
- Cup
- Paper towels
- Timer
Intro
Before the experiment
When have you seen things rust? What changes happen when something rusts?
Predict three things that you might see when you watch something rust quickly.
What happens when baking soda mixes with vinegar? How do you think this reaction compares to rusting?
Setting up
Open the clear plastic bag.
Stick the liquid crystal thermometer for measuring higher temperatures inside of the bag so that:
- You can see it through the bag.
- The thermometer touches where the steel wool will sit.
Pour both of the vinegar packets into a cup.
Stick the second liquid crystal thermometer for measuring cooler temperatures on the outside of the self-inflating balloon where the liquid will collect.
Make a chart to collect your data in the Collecting Data section on page 36.
During the experiment
Collecting data
Rust:
Place the steel wool in the vinegar cup and make sure it is completely covered.
Let the steel wool soak in the vinegar for five minutes.
Pull the steel wool from the cup and immediately blot the vinegar off with a paper towel.
Quickly place the steel wool in the plastic bag and seal it.
Make sure you also have a hand on the bag for the first few moments so that you can feel the temperature change.
Record the temperature of the thermometer every five seconds for one minute.
Balloon:
Squeeze the self-inflating balloon until the packet inside pops. You might have to put the balloon on a table and lean on it.
Make sure you have a hand on the balloon for the first few moments so that you can feel the temperature change.
Record the temperature of the thermometer every five seconds for one minute.
Analyzing data
- What were your results?
- How did the appearance of the steel wool change?
- What happened to the temperature of the steel wool?
- Why did you need to soak the steel wool in vinegar?
- How did the temperature change as the balloon inflated?
Compare this to what happened with the steel wool. What was the same? What was different?
Make a graph of temperature vs. time for both the balloon and the steel wool.
Conclusion
Look back at your predictions. How does what you saw compare with what you thought you would see?