In this Activity, students investigate the process of rusting using supermarket chemicals: unflavored gelatin, table salt and backache pain reliever tablets. A gelatin mixture is prepared and steel nails are placed in the gelatin and allowed to react with atmospheric oxygen. Ferric ion produced by the oxidation is made visible as a garnet-colored complex by magnesium salicylate present in the backache tablets. Factors that accelerate or retard the rate of iron oxidation are studied.
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Citation
Wright, Stephen W. J. Chem. Educ.2005 82 1648A.
Keywords
Consumer Chemistry; Demonstrations; Descriptive Chemistry; Distance Learning / Self Instruction; Elementary / Middle School Science; General Public; Hands-On Learning / Manipulatives; High School / Introductory Chemistry; Iron; Metals; Oxidation / Reduction
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