FACTOR AFFECTING THE RUSTING OF IRON NAILS

Grade : 8th (2019–2020)

Unit : Atomic World
Topic : Corrosion: Rusting of Iron

Rusting of iron refers to the formation of rust, a mixture of iron oxides, on the surface of iron objects
or structures. The rusting of iron is characterized by the formation of a layer of a red, flaky substance
that easily crumbles into a powder.

This phenomenon is a great example of the corrosion of metals, where the surfaces of metals are
degraded into more chemically stable oxides. However, the term ‘rusting’ is generally used to refer to
the corrosion of objects made of iron or iron-alloys The rust is a reddish or yellowish-brown flaky
coating. It is made of iron and oxygen, forming an iron (III) oxide. There are many factors which affect
the rusting of iron objects. Few such factors are listed below:
Some of these factors are listed below.

 Moisture
 Acid
 Salt
 Impurity
 The size of the iron object
INSTRUCTION
In this assignment, you are to design a scientific experiment that investigates any factor related to
the rusting of iron nail.

During the design stage, you are to work individually to produce your own experimental design.
And write the experimental report individually.

You can follow the stages below to complete your assessment.

Stage 1 – Planning/designing the experiment. This stage will be assessed using criterion B.

Your experimental design should include the following:

Title
The title of your investigation.

Introduction
This will be a paragraph to include:
 The description of your chosen investigation. You are expected to attach a visual
representation, either a diagram or drawing, to support your description.
 Then you can specify your tested variable and provide relevant scientific evidence or
information related to this investigation. Make sure you include in-text citation if you
gain the information from any reliable source.

Research question
A question which can be written as follows: “How does the (independent variable) affect
the (dependent variable)?”

Hypothesis(Prediction)
 An outline what you think will happen by referring to the independent and dependent
variables.
 Include a scientific description of why you made your prediction.
 It can be written as follows: “If I (increase/decrease) my (independent variable), the
(dependent variable) will (increase/decrease) because (reasons with information and
citation of sources).

Variables
All variables involved in your experiment, along with their description.
 Independent variable (IV): a factor which you are going to test/investigate (a
minimum of 3 readings should be conducted);
 Dependent variable (DV): a factor which you are going to measure;
  Control variables (CV): other factors (a minimum of 3 factors) that you will keep the
same to make sure it is a fair test.

Apparatus
List of all equipment and materials that you will need, include quantitative data.
 Be specific. Don’t ask for “water” or a “beaker”, but “250 ml of water” or a “500 ml
beaker”.

Method
 Use a numbered list to help others know the steps and the order.
 Outline what you will measure and how you will measure it (a minimum of 3
readings/ measurements are needed, and at least 3 trials, if applicable, should be
conducted).
 Outline how you will make it a fair test.
 Outline the safety of your procedures.

– End of instructions for Criterion B –

Criterion B. Inquiring and designing
Showing how well you can develop an investigation / explanation in science in a series of steps.
Level of
Achievement
Descriptor
Student does not reach a standard described
0
by any of the descriptors below.
Student is able to:
 Select a problem or question to be
tested by a scientific investigation.
1–2  Select a testable prediction.
 State a variable.
 Design a method with limited
success.
Student is able to:
 State a problem or question to be
tested by a scientific investigation.
 State a testable prediction.
 State how to manipulate the
3–4
variables, and state how data will
be collected.
 Design a safe method in which he
or she selects materials and
equipment.
Student is able to:
 State a problem or question to be
tested by a scientific investigation.
 Outline a testable prediction.
 Outline how to manipulate the
variables, and state how relevant
5–6 data will be collected.
 Design a complete and safe
method in which he or she selects
appropriate materials and
equipment.
Student is able to:
 Outline a problem or question to be
tested by a scientific investigation.
 Outline a testable prediction using
scientific reasoning.
 Outline how to manipulate the
variables, and outline how
7–8 sufficient, relevant data will be
collected.
 Design a logical, complete and
safe method in which he or she
selects appropriate materials and
equipment.
Maximum 8
Task specific clarification
You did not reach a standard described by any of the
descriptors given below.
You were able to:
 select a problem or question to be tested by giving an
attempt to include either only a brief introduction or a
research question.
 select a prediction that can be tested.
 state at least one correct variable.
 design a method with some missing steps.
You were able to:
 state a problem by including either only a brief
introduction or a research question.
 state a prediction that can be tested.
 state how to change the independent variable and how to
control the variable (only mention 1 variable as the control
variable) and state how to collect the dependent variable.
 design a method that is safe and contains the equipment and
materials used.
You were able to:
 state a problem by including both a brief introduction and
a research question that is not fully focused/properly
written.
 outline a testable prediction which includes the variables.
 outline how to manipulate the independent variable
(mention a minimum of 2 readings) and how to control the
variable (mention 2 variables as the control variables) and
state how to collect the dependent variable correctly.
 design a method that is safe and contains the appropriate
equipment and materials used, including the amounts and
sizes.
You are able to:
 Outline the problem by including a brief introduction
section and a research question that is fully
focused/properly written.
 outline a testable prediction which includes the variables
and a scientific reason
 outline how to manipulate the independent variable
(mention 3 readings) and how to control the variable
(mention a minimum of 3 variables as the control variables);
outline how to collect the dependent variable correctly and
to collect multiple sets of data (at least 3 trials, if applicable).
 design a method that is easy to follow, complete and safe
and also contains the appropriate equipment (including
amounts and sizes) used.
Command terms

Describe Give a detailed account or picture of a situation, event, pattern or process

Design Produce a plan, simulation or model
Outline Give a brief account
State Give a specific name, value or other brief answer without explanation or calculation
Select Choose from a list or group