Академический Документы
Профессиональный Документы
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Introduction
Review of Literature
Problem Statement
Experimental Design
Conclusion
Acknowledgments
Works Cited
Introduction:
As population and globalization increases, more cars and more buildings need to be built.
With more cars and buildings being produced, the use of resources such as steel and other metals
is needed greatly. Those metals can be rusted which could lead to problems with buildings and
cars. Rust eventually falls off cars and weakens the support of beams for structures which can be
The purpose of this experiment was to determine which substance - nail polish or car wax
- would prevent the most rust from forming on steel plates. Although nail polish is not practical
to apply to a whole car, the chemical base of it can be multiplied to a larger scale suitable for a
car.. Car wax is a commonly used mixture that is designed to protect the cars from the rain and
water. The reason people would want to protect against rain and water, is because if any exposed
steel isn't protected, rust can form and damage the car. Nail polish is also being tested to check if
the rust prevention methods that are currently in place are better at preventing rust than simple
household substances.
To determine the amount of rust each substance prevented, the substances were first
applied to the steel plates, and then their masses were collected. After running the experiment
and collecting the final masses, the masses lost were then calculated.
The data collected in this paper could be of much assistance to car wax companies, and
other companies producing rust prevention materials. These companies could use this data to
verify or improve their product. This research could also be used by consumers when deciding to
apply a rust prevention method to their car, specifically it could help them make a decision
between traditional car wax and some other coating(Alkyd and epoxy ester coatings, Two-part
urethane coatings, Vinyl, acrylic or styrene polymer combination latex coatings, etc.)
Rust is an incredibly important substance in the manufacturing world. This is due to iron
being a widely used substance in the creation of many ships, cars, bridges, and most of the
worlds machinery. Thus, rust forming on these products would be detrimental to the functioning
Review of Literature
Corrosion can be a major concern when it comes to automobiles, bridges, and the
shipping community. This is a major concern for iron and iron alloys metals, such as steel,
because when they are exposed to air or water for long periods of time they will begin to rust.
For example if steel beams to bridges rust, then their strength will weaken and can end up
What truly happens when iron alloys are left exposed to air and water, is that they
undergo an oxidation-reduction reaction or redox reaction. In the redox reaction a process called
oxidation occurs, in which metal atoms lose electrons forming ions. Oxidation always occurs in
tandem with reduction, a process in which an atom gains electrons. An example of the redox
reaction is shown below. In the equation, iron (the reducing agent) loses electrons, and oxygen
(the oxidizing agent) gains electrons (Roberta). Also underneath the equation are the oxidation
numbers which proves that iron oxidizes and that the oxygen reduces and shows where the
all the way to the atomic level. It can happen through oxidation as stated above, but it can be
prevented. Coating with painting, plating or enamel etc. (Dunee). There are three necessary parts
Without water, oxygen is not able to spark the oxidation process because the water is
what begins the transfer between the electrons. This means that in order to prevent rust, it’s
simply a matter of keeping H2O out . But when more water is present, the entire process is ultra-
fast-tracked. (Petro Industry). In order to prevent water from touching the steel, the application
would have to be hydrophobic. That means that nonpolar substances don't combine with water
molecules. Water is a polar molecule, which means that it carries a partial charge between its
atoms. Oxygen brings the electrons of each bond closer to its core, creating a more negative
charge. Therefore, any materials with a charge will be able to interact with water molecules to
dissolve. Hydrophobic materials often do not dissolve in water or in any solution that contains a
largely aqueous environment. Waxes are practical examples of hydrophobic molecules that are
used commercially and biologically because of their abilities to resist interacting with water
(Williams).
Scientists have wondered the same thing about rust prevention before, so the experiment
conducted included some elements from previous experiments. One of the previous experiments
called “Bust That Rust!”. In their experiment the material list is what influenced the current one
the most because they have listed is steel wool pads; but instead of using that steel plates were
used. The reason why steel plates were chosen is because the have more of a real life application
because of the fact that steel products are made with steel bars or plates, not steel wool. This
experiment also helped with the type of rust prevention substance used. The reason this is, is
because in the experiment it says, “At least two or three of the following: clear fingernail polish,
spray-on car wax, furniture polish, polyurethane finish, and vegetable oil”. This helped because
what ended up being used as the rust prevention types was clear nail polish and car wax. These
were chosen not only due to the fact that they were used in a previous experiment but also to the
fact that they were easily accessible. In another previous experiment this one was based off of is
called “How Much Oxygen is in the Air?”. The experiment procedures tell the experimenters to
add 1 teaspoon of iron filings each to 4 different jars. Instead of that, what was done was whole
steel plates were added into 65 cups. Another way this experiment contributed was because in
their design they completely submerge the steel fillings, which is what was done in the
steel which instead is called rust. That ties into the redox reactions which show how the electrons
move in the case of the experiment. Also an understanding of hydrophobics is needed because
they are where certain materials repel water which would keep it off of the steel. Previous
researchers greatly helped model how the experiment was conducted and the materials needed.
Problem Statement
Problem:
The purpose of the experiment was to identify which coating applied to steel plates, nail
During the process of corrosion, the car wax coating will have prevented corrosion the
best by having the smallest decrease in mass from the initial mass, and thus will have prevented
Data Measured:
The independent variables being measured were the initial mass of the steel plate, and the
volume of the type of corrosion prevention. The dependent variable was the final mass of the
steel plates, after the treatments were applied to it. The masses were measured in grams and the
volume was measured in milliliters. The constants of this experiment were the amount of water
applied to each steel plate and the temperature in the room. These variables were used to conduct
identical trials, and to calculate the change in mass before and after being corroded. A two
Experimental Design
Materials:
(65) 1.8cm X 1.8cm steel plates
(2) Bottles of China Glaze base coat Nail polish
40 Milliliters of Adam’s car wax
25 Milliliter graduated cylinder
Scale 0.0001 g
Metal tongs
Steel wool
Paint brush
Metal cutters
(65) plastic cups
Procedures:
1. Record Initial Mass of steel plates before treatment with 4-decimal place accuracy
2. Randomize trial order using randInt function on Ti-nspire
3. Apply rust prevention substance (nail polish or car wax) to one side of each steel plate.
30 plates treated with nail polish, and 30 treated with car wax.
4. Allow for plates to dry.
5. continue applying the same treatments to the untreated sides of the steel plates.
6. Allow for plates to dry
7. record their initial mass after treatment with 4-decimal place accuracy
8. Use tongs to place steel plates into labeled cups.
9. Use graduated Pour 20 milliliters of water into each container containing a steel plate
10. Wait 24 hours
11. Use tongs to flip the plates over
12. Wait 24 more hours, then remove plates from water
13. allow them to dry
14. Record final mass of each steel plate
15. Compare and observe data with box plots and two sample t-test
Diagrams:
Figure 1. Materials used Photo
Figure 1 shows each of the materials used throughout the experiment except for the steel
The following tables and figures include all of the data collected throughout the steel
plate rusting experiment. As well as any observations made, and any photos pertaining to the
experiment.
Table 1.
Nail Polish Mass Trial Data
Nail polish
Initial Mass Mass with Final Change in
Trial
(g) Treatment (g) Mass (g) Mass (g)
1 2.2761 2.2859 2.2829 -0.0030
2 2.1302 2.1339 2.1307 -0.0032
3 1.6321 1.6340 1.6312 -0.0028
4 1.8124 1.8200 1.8172 -0.0028
5 1.8180 1.8214 1.8182 -0.0032
6 1.8630 1.8680 1.8650 -0.0030
7 1.8950 1.8985 1.8953 -0.0032
8 1.8148 1.8239 1.8208 -0.0031
9 1.8874 1.8966 1.8934 -0.0032
10 1.8956 1.9150 1.9112 -0.0038
11 1.8359 1.8417 1.8382 -0.0035
12 1.7979 1.8047 1.8010 -0.0037
13 1.9209 1.9252 1.9216 -0.0036
14 1.8690 1.8733 1.8692 -0.0041
15 1.7208 1.7283 1.7245 -0.0038
16 1.8238 1.8350 1.8314 -0.0036
17 1.9080 1.9155 1.9129 -0.0026
18 2.0109 2.0159 2.0123 -0.0036
19 2.0833 2.0885 2.0845 -0.0040
20 1.8562 1.8611 1.8572 -0.0039
21 2.0320 2.0478 2.0438 -0.0040
22 1.7697 1.7834 1.7804 -0.0030
23 2.1092 2.1287 2.1258 -0.0029
Initial Mass Mass with Final Change in
Trial
(g) Treatment (g) Mass (g) Mass (g)
24 1.7080 1.7242 1.7199 -0.0043
25 1.7889 1.8071 1.8047 -0.0024
26 1.6520 1.6683 1.6650 -0.0033
27 1.5134 1.5308 1.5272 -0.0036
28 1.6253 1.6463 1.6436 -0.0027
29 1.9678 1.9824 1.9786 -0.0038
30 1.7675 1.7884 1.7853 -0.0031
Average -0.0034
Table 1 shows the mass of steel plates before and after being treated with nail polish, as
well as their final masses and the amount of mass lost. An average of 0.0034 grams lost was also
calculated.
Table 2.
Observations of Nail Polish Trials
Trial Observations
1 Nail polish was applied by Researcher 1. 2.2859.
2 Nail polish was applied by Researcher 1. 2.1339.
3 Nail polish was applied by Researcher 1. 1.6340.
4 Nail polish was applied by Researcher 1. 1.8200.
5 Nail polish was applied by Researcher 1. 1.8214.
6 Nail polish was applied by Researcher 1. 1.8680.
7 Nail polish was applied by Researcher 1. 1.8985.
8 Nail polish was applied by Researcher 1. 1.8239.
9 Nail polish was applied by Researcher 1. 1.8966.
10 Nail polish was applied by Researcher 1. 1.9150.
11 Nail polish was applied by Researcher 1. 1.8417.
12 Nail polish was applied by Researcher 1. 1.8047.
13 Nail polish was applied by Researcher 1. 1.9209.
14 Nail polish was applied by Researcher 1. 1.8733.
Trial Observations
15 Nail polish was applied by Researcher 1. 1.7283.
16 Nail polish was applied by Researcher 1. 1.8350.
17 Nail polish was applied by Researcher 1. 1.9155.
18 Nail polish was applied by Researcher 1. 2.0159.
19 Nail polish was applied by Researcher 1. 2.0885.
20 Nail polish was applied by Researcher 1. 1.8611.
21 Nail polish was applied by Researcher 2. 2.0478.
22 Nail polish was applied by Researcher 2. 1.7834.
23 Nail polish was applied by Researcher 2. 2.1287.
Nail polish was applied by Researcher 2. 1.7242. This trial had the
24 largest change in mass of 0.0043 grams.
Nail polish was applied by Researcher 2. 1.8071. This trial had the
25 smallest change in mass of 0.0024 grams
26 Nail polish was applied by Researcher 2. 1.6683.
27 Nail polish was applied by Researcher 2. 1.5308.
28 Nail polish was applied by Researcher 2. 1.6463.
29 Nail polish was applied by Researcher 2. 1.9824.
30 Nail polish was applied by Researcher 2. 1.7884.
Table 2 shows the observations that were made during the nail polish trials. Including the
Table 3.
as their final masses and the amount of mass lost. An average of 0.0022 grams lost was also
calculated.
Table 4.
Observations of Car Wax Trials
Trial Observations
1 Car wax was applied by Researcher 3.
2 Car wax was applied by Researcher 3.
3 Car wax was applied by Researcher 3.
4 Car wax was applied by Researcher 3.
5 Car wax was applied by Researcher 3.
6 Car wax was applied by Researcher 3.
7 Car wax was applied by Researcher 3..
8 Car wax was applied by Researcher 3.
9 Car wax was applied by Researcher 3.
10 Car wax was applied by Researcher 3.
11 Car wax was applied by Researcher 3.
12 Car wax was applied by Researcher 3.
Car wax was applied by Researcher 3. This trial had the largest change
13 in mass of 0.0031
14 Car wax was applied by Researcher 3.
15 Car wax was applied by Researcher 3.
Car wax was applied by Researcher 3. This trial was conducted in a
16 different cup size, than the 1st 15.
Car wax was applied by Researcher 3. This trial was conducted in a
17 different cup size, than the 1st 15.
Car wax was applied by Researcher 3. This trial was conducted in a
18 different cup size, than the 1st 15.
Car wax was applied by Researcher 3. This trial was conducted in a
19 different cup size, than the 1st 15.
Car wax was applied by Researcher 3. This trial was conducted in a
20 different cup size, than the 1st 15.
Car wax was applied by Researcher 2. This trial was conducted in a
21 different cup size, than the 1st 15.
Trial Observations
Car wax was applied by Researcher 2. This trial was conducted in a
22 different cup size, than the 1st 15.
Car wax was applied by Researcher 2. This trial was conducted in a
23 different cup size, than the 1st 15.
Car wax was applied by Researcher 2. This trial was conducted in a
24 different cup size, than the 1st 15.
Car wax was applied by Researcher 2. This trial was conducted in a
25 different cup size, than the 1st 15.
Car wax was applied by Researcher 2. This trial was conducted in a
26 different cup size, than the 1st 15.
Car wax was applied by Researcher 2. This trial was conducted in a
27 different cup size, than the 1st 15.
Car wax was applied by Researcher 2. This trial was conducted in a
28 different cup size, than the 1st 15.
Car wax was applied by Researcher 2. This trial was conducted in a
29 different cup size, than the 1st 15.
Car wax was applied by Researcher 2. This trial was conducted in a
30 different cup size, than the 1st 15.
Table 4 shows any observations that were made during the car wax trials. During the
trials the 1st 15 cup were different than the last 15. Also it shows the highest and lowest changes
in mass.
Table 5.
Control Data
Control
Initial Mass Final Mass Change in
Trial
(g) (g) Mass (g)
1 1.9404 1.9381 -0.0023
2 1.9826 1.9791 -0.0035
3 2.1666 2.1620 -0.0046
4 1.7066 1.7033 -0.0033
5 1.8520 1.8485 -0.0035
Average -0.0034
Table 5 shows the data collected from controls, including the masses before and after
rusting, as well as the amount of mass lost. On average the controls lost 0.0034 grams of mass.
Table 6.
Control Observations
Trial Observations
1 Initial mass was 1.9404.
2 Initial mass was 1.9826.
3 Initial mass was 2.1666. Had the largest change in mass.
4 Initial mass was 1.7066. Had smallest change in mass
5 Initial mass was 1.8520.
In Table 6 above it shows that trial 4 had the smallest initial mass and that trial 3 had the
During the course of the experiment certain steps were taken to ensure that accurate data
was collected when seeing how different treatments affected steel plates. One step was the
randomization, this was used to determine whether the steel plate was treated with car wax or
nail polish. This was used to reduce any bias while conducting the experiment. Another step was
repetition. This involved conducting each trial the exact same way to reduce any lurking
variables. The last step was to keep each trial under the same conditions and environment, which
would apply any lurking variables to all of the trials. Data collection was done by weighing steel
plates in grams, before any application was applied, after the application was applied, and after
The statistical test that fits this data is a 2-sample t-test. This is fit for the data because a
2-sample t-test compares the means of two separate populations, because there is not a known
value to compare it to. It tells if the difference between the means is significant or if it could have
happened by chance alone. In order to conduct a 2-sample t-test certain assumptions have to be
met. The data has to be normal, which was met because 30 trials were conducted of both
treatments. The two samples are independent, which they are. Lastly, the sample must come
from a simple random sample of their population which means any data point has the same
Figure 1 shows the amount of mass lost for each of the standards in the experiment. The
variability of the standards suggests that the reliability of the data is questionable.
Figure 1 above shows a box plot of the changes in weight calculated for each trial. The
plot shows that the data fell between 0.0024 g and 0.0043 g, with an outlier of 0.0050. The data
is right skewed by a mere 0.0001 g, and there is only 1 outlier which suggests that the trials were
not perfectly consistent. The plot also shows that the median experimental change in weight is
0.0033 g.
Figure 2 above shows a box plot of the changes in weight calculated for each trial. The
plot shows that the data fell between 0.0016 g and 0.0032 g, giving the data set a range of 0.0016
g. The data also doesn’t appear to be skewed, and there is not a outlier which suggests that the
trials were consistent. The plot also shows that the median experimental change in weight is
Figure 3 shows both car wax and nail polish box plots on the same graph. Car wax is seen
to be further to the left, suggesting that, on average, car wax had the smallest change in mass,
while nail polish had the highest change in mass. What can also be seen from having all of the
box plots on the same graph, is that both box plots overlap. Although they overlap, either of their
interquartile ranges overlap, suggesting that there is some variance in their results. A two sample
The null hypothesis states that the mean values for both change in mass are equal. The
alternative hypothesis states that the mean values for both change in mass are not equal.
𝐻𝐻 : 𝐻 𝐻 𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹 𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹ℎ = 𝐹 𝐹
𝐹𝐹 : 𝐹 𝐹 ≠𝐹 𝐹
Figure 5. Two Sample t-test Graph
Through calculations, which can be seen in Appendix A, the t-value was calculated to be
9.4559. And, the p-value was found to be 1.2476 × 10−12. The null hypothesis was rejected.
There was evidence that not all of the change in mass values for each treatment were the same.
For an alpha level of 0.05, The p-value of 1.2476 × 10−12 shows that the results of this
experiment could not be found by chance alone, if the null hypothesis was assumed true. This
means that there was a clear correlation between the treatment applied to the steel and how much
rust formed. But, due to the variability of each standard trial, the reliability of these results is
questionable.
Conclusion
The goal of this experiment was to identify which coating, nail polish or car wax, has the
greatest ability to prevent rusting on steel plates.This was chosen as the goal because of steels
importance to industry and machinery, and therefore rusts importance to industry and machinery.
Car wax was chosen to be tested to verify already existing forms of rust prevention. While nail
polish was tested to show whether or not a commonly found household object was able to
prevent rust better than a more widely used substance (car wax). The goal was achieved by
coating the steel plates, and then performing a 2-sample t-test. The independent variables tested
in this experiment were the volume of each treatment, the volume of water the steel plates were
soaked in each run, and the time the steel plates spent exposed to the water.
The hypothesis stated that the steel plates with car wax would have the smallest change in
mass, and would thus have prevented the most amount of rust from forming. The hypothesis was
accepted. Data shown supporting this acceptance was seen throughout this paper, and is
highlighted by the box plot comparison graph in the data analysis section of this experiment. In
the graph, both box plots representing the mass loss of each treatment are shown, and the car
wax trails are shown to have a consistently lower mass lost. One of the reasons why car wax was
able to prevent more rust than the nail polish is because of the hydrophobic properties of the
natural oils(linseed oil) in car wax discussed in the review of literature section of this
experiment. The credibility of the data collected in this experiment is further supported through
the results of the two-sample t-test and the p-value. The p-value of 1.2476 × 10−12 allowed for
the null hypothesis, that the mean change in mass for both treatments would be the same, to be
rejected. This meant that the data in this experiment could not be found by chance alone, if the
null hypothesis were to be true, which increased the reliability of the collected data.
All of the data collected in this experiment agree completely with the information that
was found in the review of literature part of this document. This is possible because experiments
similar to this one have been conducted before, and the differences between this experiment and
others is not large enough to warrant differing results. Also the chemical composition of the wax
held their hydrophobic properties and kept water away long enough to have the smallest change
in mass. The nail polish doesn’t have the same properties as the wax but it has different coats
that the water would have to get through. Even though there were more layers, the strength of the
Several errors were made over the course of this experiment.The steel plates were created
through using metal cutters to cut a larger steel plate into similar sized pieces (intended to be 1.8
cm by 1.8 cm). However, due to the use of the metal cutters, the steel plates weren’t completely
equal in size, allowing for a surface model issue, causing more rust to potentially form. Another
error that was made in this experiment was that a standardized method to remove rust was not
used, and instead researchers scraped off rust using steel wool. This may have resulted in several
of the steel plates still having rust attached to them, or in some of the steel plates having their
coating removed; which could have increased or decreased change in mass. A third mistake was
also made, in that treatment application was unequal. There was no definite proportion or
measurement of the solution to the metal, which may have caused data to be inconsistent, and for
some steel plates to receive more nail polish or wax coatings than others. These trials, in which
there was a greater amount of coating, would rust less, and therefore have a lower change in
easily collect and organize the materials needed for this experiment. Creating the experimental
design also assisted the researchers in planning out how the trials would be conducted
If this experiment were to be redone, several improvements could be made. The first
improvement would be to use a more controlled method to remove rust, such as using vinegar to
prevent scraping anything else off. This would cause weight lost to be more consistent Another
improvement that could be made would be to use a machine in the cutting of the steel plates,
resulting in more equal pieces being created with consistent surface areas. Another improvement
would be to find a way to apply the solution more equally to all pieces of metal. Also a longer
experiment could be conducted to see long term effects instead of predicting based off of the
short term experiment. Doing this may alter results in favour of one solution performing better
Acknowledgements
The researchers would like to thank Jamie Hilliard for allowing the researchers to
conduct the experiment in her lab, supplying the steel plates, tongs, and the scale used to
The researchers would also like to thank and recognize Mark Supal for his assistance
with formatting of the paper and guiding them through parts of the research.
Lastly, the researchers would like to thank Christine Dewey for guiding the researchers
through the math of the experiment and providing very helpful knowledge that was used for parts
of the research.
Randomization:
● Assign a number to each test, 1-60
● Use random integer function on calculator - randInt(1,60) - to determine the order of the
trials.
● Lay out 30 steel plates assigned to nail polish, in the order at which they were assigned.
● Use nail polish spreader to apply nail polish treatment onto the tops of consecutively
numbered plates.
● Use nail polish spreader to apply treatment to the back of each steel plate..
● Pause at every gap in numbers, these gaps represent the car wax trials and standard trials,
move on to car wax treatment application and standard treatment application at these
points.
● Lay out the 30 steel plates assigned to car wax, in the order at which they were assigned.
● Use the paint brush to apply car wax treatment onto the tops of the consecutively
numbered plates.
● Use the paint brush to apply treatment to the back of each steel plate
number of trials is needed for both data sets. The t-value is then calculated by subtracting the
mean of wax from the mean of the nail polish. And then, dividing the difference by the square
root of the standard deviations squared and divided by their trial numbers.
Figure 1. Shows the Sample Calculation For the Two Sample t-Test
𝐹1 − 𝐹2
𝐹 =
(𝐹1 )2 (𝐹2 )2
√
𝐹1 + 𝐹2
0.0034 𝐹 − 0.0022 𝐹
=
2 2
√(0.0006 𝐹) + (0.0004 𝐹)
30 30
= 9.4560
Figure 1. Shows the Sample Calculation For the Two Sample t-Test
Figure 1 above shows the calculation for the two sample t-test with substitution of values.
Works Cited
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Dunee. “Difference Between Corrosion and Rusting.” Difference Between, 28 Nov. 2013,
www.differencebetween.com/difference-between-corrosion-and-vs-rusting/.
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Petro Industry, www.petro-online.com/news/fuel-for-
thought/13/breaking_news/how_does_oiling_prevent_rusting/38064.
Roberta. “The Chemistry of Rust (Oxidation).” Growing With Science Blog, 16 Mar.
2013, http://blog.growingwithscience.com/2013/03/the-chemistry-of-rust-oxidation/.
“Rust Chemistry: How Does Rust Form? | Science Project.” Science Project |
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