Corrosion of Iron Revealed
Description: A mixture of Bacto agar with sodium chloride, phenolphthalein indicator and potassium iron ferrocyanide is prepared and poured warm into Petri dishes. The mixture is allowed to cool. Later, iron nails are placed in the agar mixture and the nails are covered with more warm agar mixture, then allowed to react. Some of the iron nails used may be bent. After several minutes, the reaction in the mixture is noted by the appearance of a pink or deep blue color at the ends or bends in the iron nails.
Source: UW Card Catalog
Year: N/A Vol: N/A Page: N/A
Keywords: Bactor Agar, Nail, Iron, Corrosion
Rating: 
Hazard: Some
- Germ cell mutagenicity
- Carcinogenicity
- Reproductive toxicity
- Short term (acute) aquatic toxicity
- Long term (chronic) aquatic toxicity
- Electric shock hazard
- Burn/scald hazard
Effectiveness: Average
- Good connection to course material
- Time to results is high
- Results are observable with guidance
- Contrast of systems behavior is noticeable
- Moderate failure rate
Difficulty: Low
- Simple manipulations to perform
- Simple procedures
- Does not involve deep attention
- Mildly reactive substances
Safety Precautions:
- Eye protection required
- Gloves required
- Use thermal gloves or tongs to handle hot items
- Lab coat recommended
- Avoid exposure to dusts, mists, and droplets
- Use UL approved three-prong plug and outlet
- Avoid release of reagents to environment
- Perform in a well-ventilated area
Class: Thermodynamics, Electrochemistry
Division: General
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