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CHEMISTRY PROJECT STPM

2016

ABSTRACT
This experiment was carried out to investigate the effect of pH level on corrosion rate. The

necessity of this experiment arises from the need to demonstrate how a potentially corrosive
situation may be recognized and avoided.
Four sample metals copper, aluminum, stannum and lead were dipped in 3 beakers containing
saturated NaOH solution (pH 11), distilled water (pH 7) and concentrated sulphuric acid (pH
3) respectively.
The weight loss after a particular time interval was recorded and the corrosion rates of each
individual metal in the different solutions were also calculated and analyzed.
The nature of the metal rods and solutions before and after the corrosion was observed and in
certain solutions, vigorous reactions with heavy cloudiness were noticed.
It was concluded that the different metals showed unique corrosion characteristics in the
various solutions of stated pH levels as aluminum showed the highest tendency to corrode
under any particular pH level.

OBJECTIVE

Scientific Objective:
a) To understand the chemical reactions leading to corrosion
b) To determine the rate of corrosion
c) To investigate the corrosion of metals in different solutions
General Objective:
a) To instill good moral values cooperation independence and self
confidence
b) To apply basic scientific skills in the research project
c) To apply basic chemical principals and techniques in the investigation

Problem statement:
What is the effect of pH level on corrosion rate?
Hypothesis:
Different pH have different effects on the rate of corrosion of
metals
Aim:
To investigate the effect of pH level on corrosion rate.

VARIABLES
Manipulated variable: The pH of the
solution.
Responding variable: The corrosion rate for
each of the
metals.
Constant variable : The volume of various
type of
solution used.

1.Label the boiling


tubes: 3 with label A, 3
with label B, and 3 with
label C.

2. Fill 15 ml of
Concentration H2SO4
acid, 15ml of Saturated
NaOH solution and 15
ml of distilled water
respectively and into 3
boiling tubes A, B and C.

4. Weigh the initial


mass of the 4 metals
strips using an
electronic balance.

6. After 30 minutes, take


out all the metals from the
boiling tubes using a pair
of forceps and weigh the
final mass of each metal
strips using an electronic
balance

5. Put the 4 metal


strips separately into 3
boiling tubes A and
start the stopwatch.

PROCEDU
RE
7. Repeat step 4 and 5

8.Repeat step 6 after


60 minutes.

3. Cut the Stannum,


Copper,Lead and
Aluminium into small
pieces with equal length
using a pair of scissors
and clean the metal strips
using sandpaper.

by putting the 4
metals strips
separately into 3
boiling tubes B.

9. Repeat step 4 and 5


by putting the 3 metals
strips separately into 3
boiling tubes C

10. Repeat step 6


after 30 minutes.

11.Record the initial


mass and final mass of
each metals in a table
for each experiments
and calculate the rate of
corrosion.

METAL SAMPLE

Copper

WEIGHT LOSS
(g)

TIME TAKEN
(s)

Beaker A - Saturated NaOH solution (pH 11)


0.01
1800

CORROSION RATE
(g/s)
5.556x10-6

Aluminum

0.12

1800

66.667x10-6

Lead

0.01

1800

5.556x10-6

Stannum
Copper
Aluminum
Lead
Stannum
Copper

0.00
1800
Beaker B Distilled Water (pH 7)
0.00
3600
0.09
3600
0.01

3600

0.00
3600
Beaker C Concentrated H2SO4 acid (pH 3)
0.01
1800

0.00
0.00
25.000x10-6
2.778x10-6
0.00
5.556x10-6

Aluminum

0.01

1800

5.556x10-6

Lead

0.01

1800

5.556x10-6

Stannum

0.00

1800

0.00

Graph of Corrosion of Rate


0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0

Copper

Aluminium

Saturated NaOH solution (Ph 11)


Concentrated H2SO4 Acid (pH 3)

Lead

Distilled Water (pH 7)

Stanum

CONCLUSION
Copper, aluminium , stannum and lead where chosen to be used in this experiment because they are
commonly used in real life and easily obtainable.

the rate of corrosion for different metals are different even when they are exposed to the different
environment such as alkaline solution ,acidic solution and neutral solution.
the effects of environmental conditions such as soil resistivity, humidity, and exposure to salt water on
various types of materials will affect the corrosion of metals
Corrosion by rusting can be prevented by applying a coating that acts as a barrier to air and water, such
as greasing, painting or electroplating.

In the case of the metal aluminium, this has an oxide coating that protects the metal from further
corrosion

THE END...
THANK YOU

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