colored+roses

Problem Scenario
Rusting steel wool

Broad Question
How does rusting steel wool in different liquids affect the rusting rate.

Specific Question
How does rusting steel wool in different liquids affect the rusting rate.

Hypothesis
The steel wool will rust the fastest in salt water.

Independent Variable:
type of liquid

Dependent Variable:
amount of rust

Variables That Need To controlled
plain tap water

Vocabulary List That Needs Explanation
Water: is just plain old water Rust: A reddish- or yellowish-brown flaky coating of iron oxide that is formed on iron or steel steel wool: Fine strands of steel matted together into a mass, used as an abrasive.

General Plan
My plan is to get a bunch of different liquids and separate them in different cups then place one piece of the same kind of steel wool inside each liquid. I am going to measure the results. I'm trying to find out what liquid is most corrosive towards steel wool.

Potential Problems And Solutions
measuring the amount of rust that formed on the steel wool.

Safety Or Environmental Concerns
Disposal of the steel wool

Experimental Design
(add the correct headings from the experimental design page before beginning)

Resources and Budget Table

 * Item || Number needed || Where I will get this || Cost ||
 * steel wool || 8 pieces || Wal-Mart || $8.99 ||
 * wine glasses || 4 || crate and barrel || $43.80 ||
 * salt || 1 container || Wal-Mart || $2.00 ||
 * vinegar || 1 jar || Wal-Mart || $2.00 ||
 * seltzer water || 1 can || Wal-Mart || $1.00 ||
 * water || 1 glass || home || free ||

Detailed Procedure

 * First get four glasses (wine glasses) and line them up on the counter.
 * Next fill each cup half way with a different different in each one. Starting with plain water, then in the next glass put apple cider vinegar in it, after that put seltzer water in the next and finally the last glass will be half filled with salt water.
 * Once the glasses are filled, place one piece of steel wool into each cup and make sure the pieces of steel wool are the same size.
 * Leave them to soak
 * After 48 hours come back and record the results

Photo List

 * Picture right after setting up experiment
 * Picture one hour after setting up experiment
 * Picture 48 hours after setting up experiment

Time Line
48 hours

[[image:photo(2).JPG width="174" height="131"]]




Results
Seltzer water rusted the steel wool the most and fastest

Benefit to Community and/or Science
There is no benefit to this experiment.

Background Research
Steel wool is used by woodworkers and craftsmen working with paint, lacquer and varnish. Steel wool can’t be used on oak, because it will eventually leave a blue or black stain on the wood. Steel Wool is often used for professional cleaning processes, not only on wooden surfaces, but also on glass, because it is softer than the materials. Another use of it is rodent control. What you would do is you would stuff it in the pest’s hole and when they try to chew on it they will have severe pain in their mouth. Also, if it is ingested it will cause internal bleeding which could lead to death. When steel wool is heated it increases in mass due to the combination of burning iron with oxygen. Very fine steel wool is sometimes carried for use as tinder in emergency situations, because it burns even when wet and can be ignited by fire, a spark, or by connecting a battery to produce what is called joule heating.