COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURE

Department of Engineering Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry

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Family Name First Name Middle Initial Date Submitted

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Course & Year Section Group Instructor
Number
Chem 181
Chemistry for Engineers
Experiment No. 5
METALS AND SOME ASPECTS OF CORROSION
Title of the Experiment
I. Objective/s:

1. to list properties of metals belonging to different families

2. to compare the relative activities of metals

3. to prescribe ways to prevent corrosion

II. Apparatus

4 - 22mm test tubes 1 - 250 mL beaker

4 - 10mm test tubes watch glass

16 - 5mm test tubes test tube holder

1 - 10 mL graduated cylinder Bunsen burner

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 III. Materials

metals solutions

1 pc. sodium 1M copper (II) sulfate

5 pcs. zinc 1 M zinc chloride

6 pcs. iron nail 1 M magnesium chloride

5 pcs. magnesium ribbon 1 M ferric chloride

5 pcs. copper wire 0.1 M potassium hexacyanoferrate

1 pc. bent nail phenolphthalein

1 pc nail wrapped with copper wire agar-agar solution

1 pc nail covered with mossy zinc methyl orange

IV. Results and Observations

In the physical attributes of the metal, such as Na, Mg, Zn, Cu and Fe are
placed on the watch glass. It’s physical state, appearance, color, and hardness are
examined and recorded.

In the reaction of metals in the water, small piece of sodium is added to 150
mL of water in a beaker. Such, solution is divided into two parts. Then, two drops of
phenolphthalein is added in the it. In other part, 2 drops of methyl orange is added.
O the other hand, 3 mL of water are filled in to the four 22mm test tubes. Drop of a
small magnesium are placed in the first test tube, zinc metal in the second, iron nail
in the third and copper wire on the fourth test tube.

In the reaction of metals with other solution, 1.0 ml magnesium chloride

solution is placed in to the four 5mm test tubes. Drop of a small magnesium ribbon
are placed on the first test tube, zinc metal in the second, iron nail in the third and
copper wire in the fourth test tube. Changes on the test tubes are observed for 5
minutes from time to time.

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 In the corrosion and prevention of corrosion of metals, 1.0 mL freshly
prepared agar-agar solution is placed in to the four 10mm test tubes. Then, 10 drops
of 0.1M K3Fe (CN)6 and 5 drops of 1% phenolphthalein are added to it. Drop of a
piece of straight iron nail, bent nail, nail wrapped with copper wire and nail coated
with mossy zinc are placed separately in the test tube.

V. Tables and Calculations

A. Physical attributes of the metals

All the metals physical state is “s” which means solid. Metals appearance of Na,
Zn, Fe and Cu is an irregular shape while Mg as in strip. On the other hand, the
color of metals Na, Mg, Zn and Fe are all both gray. Thus, the hardness of metal
Na is soft, both Mg and Cu are flexible and Zn and Fe are very hard.

B. Reaction of metals in water (added with indicators)

1. a. rapid reaction occurs and popping sound is produced when exposed to the
flame due to the release of hydrogen gas.
b. Added with phenolphthalein turns to pink
c. Added with methyl orange turns to yellow
2. a. turns to pink (darker)
b. turns to yellow (darker)

C. Reaction of metals with other solution

Observations:

1. When MgCl2 is added in all metals separately, there is no reaction.

2. When CuSO4 is added in Copper, there is no reaction. On the other hand, Fe

produces reddish brown particles and greenish solution, Zn and Mg produces both
black particles and colorless solution.

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 3. When ZnCl2 is added to metals Na, Cu and Zn, there is no reaction. On the
other hand, Mg produces gray particles and colorless solution.

4. When FeCl3 is added to Fe and Cu separately, there is no reaction. On the

other hand, Zn produces red particles and dark yellow solution.

D. Corrosion and Prevention of Corrosion of metals

Observations:

Straight Nail: less corrosion occurs compared to bent nail; iron will oxidized

Bent Nail: corrosion will occur rapidly; nail was cracked and stressed

Nail coated with mossy Zn: less corrosion occurs

Corrosion of the iron by oxidation occur. (iron nail rusts quickly)

Summary of Results:

A. Physical attributes of the metals

B. Reaction of metals in water (added with indicators)

1. Sodium in water

a. Na + H2O  rapid reaction occur and popping sound is produced when

exposed to the flame due to the release of hydrogen gas.

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 b. solution + phenolphthalein  turns to pink

c. solution + methyl orange  turns to yellow

2. metals in water with

a. phenolphthalein: observed chemical changes with balance chemical equations

below

Mg + H2O  turns to pink (darker)

Zn + H2O  turns to pink

Fe + H2O  turns to pink pink (lightest)

Cu + H2O  no reaction

b. metals in water with methyl orange

Mg + H2O  turns to yellow (darker)

Zn + H2O  turns to yellow

Fe + H2O  turns to pink yellow (lightest)

Cu + H2O  no reaction

Arrange the five metals in decreasing order of activity in water:

Mg, Zn, Fe, and Cu

C. Reaction of metals with other solution

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 Represent observed chemical changes with balanced chemical equations below.

a. iron + magnesium chloride – No reaction

b. zinc + cupric sulfate - Zn + CuSO4 -> ZnSO 4 + Cu

c. magnesium + cupric sulfate - Mg + CuSO4 -> Mg SO4 + Cu

d. copper + magnesium chloride - No reaction

e. zinc + magnesium chloride - No reaction

f. magnesium + magnesium chloride - No reaction

g. iron + ferric chloride - No reaction

h. copper + ferric chloride - No reaction

i. zinc + ferric chloride - No reaction
j. magnesium + ferric chloride - Mg + FeCl3 -> MgCl 2 + Fe
k. iron + zinc chloride - No reaction
l. copper + zinc chloride - No reaction
m. zinc + zinc chloride - No reaction
n. magnesium + zinc chloride - Mg + ZnCl2 -> MgCl 2 + Zn
o. iron + cupric sulfate - Fe + CuSO4  FeSO 4 + Cu
p. copper + cupric sulfate - No reaction

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 Arrange the four metals from the least reactive to the most reactive.
Mg, Zn, Fe, and Cu
D. Corrosion and Prevention of Corrosion of metals

1. agar-agar solution + K3Fe(CN)6 + phenolphthalein + (nail)

a. straight iron nail  less corrosion occurs compared to bent nail; iron will
oxidized

b. bent nail  corrosion will occur rapidly; nail was cracked and stressed

c. nail wrapped with Cu wire  Corrosion of the iron by oxidation occur. (iron nail
rusts quickly)

d. nail coated with mossy Zn  less corrosion occurs

VI. Questions
1. Explain the role of the potassium hexacyanoferrate, agar agar solution and
- phenolphthalein in procedure 8.
- Potassium hexacyanoferrate K3 Fe(CN)6 ( it is a yellow solution) used to
detect the presence of Fe 2+ forms a Prussian blue color in the region where
oxidation of iron is taking place (where iron is losing electrons) reacts with
Fe2+ ions to form a dark blue mixed iron(II)/iron(III) compound, Fe3
[Fe(CN)6 ]2 , commonly known as Prussian blue.
- Agar agar = used as a catalyst to make the corrosion faster.
- Phenolphthalein indicator: turns pink in the region where oxygen is taking
electrons producing OH – .

2. Explain how corrosion occurs in metals.

General corrosion occurs when most or all of the atoms on the

same metal surface are oxidized, damaging the entire surface. Most metals are
easily oxidized: they tend to lose electrons to oxygen (and other substances) in the
air or in water. As oxygen is reduced (gains electrons), it forms an oxide with

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 the metal.

3. Give 5 ways to prevent corrosion. Explain and give examples.

a.

- Selecting the right Metal Type

- Pitting Corrosion

b.

- Selecting the right Protective coating

- Crevice corrosion damaged nut and bolt thread

c.

- Selecting the right Environmental Measures

- Galvanic Corrosion

d.

- Selecting the right Sacrificial Coatings

- Weld decay

e.

- Selecting the right Corrosion Inhibitors

- Intergranular corrosion and cracking

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