TOPIC:

Effect of Metal Coupling on

Rusting of Iron

Done By:
S.Srivathsan
XII-A

Bonafide Certificate
Certified to be the Bonafide work done by
Master S.Srivathsan of class XII A during the
year 2015-16 under my supervision
Roll Number:Internal Examiner:
Date:
External Examiner:

Acknowledgement
I feel proud to present my investigatory project in chemistry on the
topic Study of the effect of metal coupling on the rusting of iron.
This project would not have been possible without the proper
guidance of our Chemistry Teacher Mrs. Bensi Sam who guided me
throughout this project in every way.
I would also thank Mrs. Bensi Sam for guiding me on systematic basis
and ensuring that completed all my research with ease.
I would also thank Mr. Samuel, the lab assistant for his help during
the completion of this project

Index
1)

Introduction
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2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
7)
8)
9)
10)

Aim of the project

Apparatus required
Chemicals required
Procedure
Observation
Calculation
Conclusion
Result
Reference

Introduction
Metals and alloys undergo rusting and corrosion. The process
by which some metals when exposed to atmospheric
condition i.e., moist air, carbon dioxide form undesirable
compounds on the surface is known as corrosion. The
compounds formed are usually oxides. Rusting is also type of
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corrosion but the term is restricted to iron or products rough.

Chemically, rust is a hydrated ferric oxide (Fe2O3.nH2O).
Rusting is an Electrochemical Mechanism. In the presence of
moist air containing dissolved O2 and CO2, the commercial
Iron behave as if composed of small electrical cells. At anode
of cell, it passes into solution as ferrous ions (Fe2+). The
electron moves towards the cathode and form hydroxyl ions
(OH-). Under the influence of dissolved oxygen the ferrous
ions and hydroxyl ions interact to form rust i.e. hydrated ferric
oxide.
Methods of preventing Corrosion and Rusting:
Some of the methods used to prevent corrosion and rusting
are discussed here:
1.Barrier protection: In this method, a barrier film is introduced
between iron surface and atmospheric air. The film is
obtained by painting, varnishing etc.
2.Galvanization: The metallic iron is covered by a layer of more
reactive metal such as zinc.

Aim of the Project

In this project the aim is to investigate effect of the

metals coupling on the rusting of iron.
If the nail is coupled with a more electropositive metal
like zinc, magnesium or aluminum rusting is prevented
but is on the other hand, it is coupled with less
electropositive metals like copper, the rusting is
facilitated.
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Apparatus required
1.Four Petri Dish
2.Four Test Tube
3.Four Iron Nails
4.Beaker
5.Sand Paper
6.Wire gauge

Chemicals required
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1.Gelatin
2.Copper, Zinc and Magnesium strips
3.Potassium Ferricyanide (K4[Fe(CN)6])
4.Phenolphthalein (C20H14O4) {Indicator}

Procedure
1.At first we have to clean the surface of iron nails with the
help of sand paper.
2.After that we have to wind zinc strip around one nail, a
clean copper wire around the second and a clean
magnesium strip around the third one.
3.Then put these three nails and a plain nail in petri dishes
so that they are not in contact with each other.
4.Then to fill the petri dishes with hot agar-agar solution in
such a way that only lower half of the nails are covered
with the liquids. Cover petri dishes for one day or so.
5.The liquids should then be set to cool on a gel to cool.
6.Two types of patches are observed around the rusted nail,
one is blue and the other is pink. Blue patch is due to the
formation of Potassium Ferricyanide (K4 [Fe (CN) 6])
whereas pink patch is due to the formation of hydroxyl
ions which turns colorless phenolphthalein to pink.
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Observation

S.N
o
1.
2.

Metal
pair
IronZinc
IronMagnesi
um

Nail
Color of
rusts or
the patch
not
Pink

No

Pink

No

Dark Green on
both ends, a
light pink tint
in the middle

Yes

3.

IronCopper

4.

Pink and
Iron Nail
Green

Yes

Corrosion of iron nail wrapped in bright

copper, plus colored indicator phenolphthalein
Indicating the diffusion of two types of ions
through the moist agar medium.

Conclusion
It is clear from the observation that:
Coupling of iron with more
electropositive metals such as zinc and
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magnesium resists corrosion and rusting of

iron
Coupling of iron with less electropositive
metals increases corrosion and rusting

Bibliography
For our project we have taken help from the
following sources.
1.

www.wikipedia.com

2.

NCERT Chemistry Textbooks

3.

www.google.com
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