The authoritative public forum
  for Metal Finishing since 1989
-----

Metal rusting in alcohol water

Hi,

I'm Jenna and I'm doing a science project on what metal (copper, steel, bronze) would rust fastest but I'm doing it in alcohol water, but the thing is I'm confused on what to say in my presentation, I'm 12 years old and so confused I know that steel will rust fastest but have no idea how to put it all together so please help me!

Jenna A [last name deleted for privacy by Editor]
Student - Dugway, Utah
February 5, 2009

---

February 7, 2009

Hi Jenna,
You need to do some reading in text books and on the internet.
Step one, rust is by definition iron oxide, so only metals containing iron can rust.
There are literally hundreds of questions on rust (corrosion) at this site and this section, so go to the archive and do some reading and then come back with some more explicit questions.

James Watts
- Navarre, Florida

---

Okay well I did my research on a lot of things and it came out that I did "what metal -- copper steel or aluminum -- will rust the fastest in caustic waters, acid waters, and neutral waters" and it came out that 00 steel wool ⇦this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] was the fastest and my project is due on the 23 and I have it so far put together all I have to do is the background research and it has to be three pages long I'm scared but thanks anyways for your response I appreciate it thanks lots.

Your Truly Jenna

P.S Thanks a lot

Jenna A [last name deleted for privacy by Editor]
Student - Dugway, Utah
February 23, 2009

---

I suppose Jenna will never read this, since her deadline has passed.

But what is this about doing the background research after you've completed the project?

The background research is to give you some basic understanding of the subject, so that your practical experiments can be structured and the results understood.

Looks as though guidance from teachers on how to do a research project is sadly lacking.

Bill Reynolds [deceased]
consultant metallurgist - Ballarat, Victoria, Australia
We sadly relate the news that Bill passed away on Jan. 29, 2010.
February 26, 2009

Hi, Bill. I think I'm going to disagree with you on this one. Yes, some background research should theoretically be done before the experiment in a real science project. But I think that children of 12 and under, with little or no prior science experience, will find it impossible not to practice and learn "junk science" (discounting contrary results and overweighting confirming results) if they know what the experimental result is "supposed" to be. I think they are better off with a numbered-page lab book, writing down in ink everything they observe, and then trying to understand the reasons, than to know in advance what result their experiment is supposed to produce, and talking themselves into "seeing" supporting results.

Just an heretical opinion based on having posted thousands upon thousands of grammar school science questions here.

Regards,

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
February 26, 2009

---

In the schools that I sub in, the teachers in 6th grade science actually stress the proper procedures and actually do a review of the project 2 - 3 times before it is turned in for competition.
Some of the projects are really good.
Some have bad assumptions, bad logic and bad interpretation of the results.
Some conclusions have nothing to do with the research or the experimentation.
Overall, I have been impressed with many.

James Watts
- Navarre, Florida
February 27, 2009

Steel will rust the fastest.

Mira hagist
- South Carolina
February 14, 2011