Naked Science Forum

Non Life Sciences => Chemistry => Topic started by: thedoc on 18/04/2015 15:50:01

Title: How do you measure the rate of rusting?
Post by: thedoc on 18/04/2015 15:50:01

Josh Fisher asked the Naked Scientists:
   
I am doing a project on oxidization but we are missing one key thing how do you measure the rate of change of the rust?

Your website is very cool and awesome

What do you think?

Title: Re: How do you measure the rate of rusting?
Post by: RD on 18/04/2015 17:10:38

The nails will get heavier as they rust, provided the rust doesn't come off.

Title: Re: How do you measure the rate of rusting?
Post by: Colin2B on 18/04/2015 17:56:50

Quote from: thedoc on 18/04/2015 15:50:01

Josh Fisher asked the Naked Scientists:
I am doing a project on oxidization but we are missing one key thing how do you measure the rate of change of the rust

As RD says it will be heavier.
If this is a school project I will only give a clue.
It's the added oxygen. You need to know how many mols of iron you have and then how many mols of oxygen will be added. You need to work out the step that links the 2, but that shouldn't be too hard!