CHAPTER 1: Background of the Study

1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Rusting is the process in which iron turns into iron oxide. It is commonly occurs when iron or
steel is left out in the open in the presence of water or lots of moisture in the air. When iron
contacted with water and oxygen, a type of corrosion will occurs easily under natural conditions.
An electrochemical reaction occurs is called oxidation, in which electrons transfer from the iron
to the water. The main catalyst for the rusting process is water. Iron or steel structures might
appear to be solid, but water molecules can penetrate the microscopic pits and cracks in any
exposed metal. The thinner the metal, the better the chance of rusting will occur.
The hydrogen atoms present in water molecules can combine with other elements to form acids,
which will eventually cause more metal to rust. The time taken for iron to rust is different .

This study is about rusting and what is the time taken for nails to rust under different condition of
water and size of the nail. Sixteen iron nails are used as the experimental units. Then,
randomization is applied to the beakers that contain four different type of water. Randomization
is applied to avoid bias. The beakers sizes are homogenous. Next, the nails are put into the
beakers. All of the 16 beakers are put in a same room. The condition of the nails and time taken
of the nails to rust is observed and taken. The timeframe for observing the nails are every 5
hours. The experiment will stop after 2 weeks maximum time. Each nails time taken to rust in
each beakers are observed and recorded. Thus, this study is to determine the time taken for nails
to rust under different condition of water and size of the nail.

RATIONALE OF THE STUDY

Iron Metals Seller

This study is about the time taken for iron nails to rust. The factors are type of water conditions
and size of the nails. This study can give a better view towards seller about how to prevent iron
metals from rusting. Different type of water and size can show them which will rust first. Thus,
they can prevent water from reaching the iron metals. They also can avoid the rusting by keeping
the iron metals in a dry and warm place.

Owner of the House

Since this study is about time taken for iron nails to rust, so, owner of the house can trace the
time taken for zinc to rust. Different type of nails may give different time taken for zinc to rust.
Many houses use nails to stick the zinc as the roof. The owner also can see which type of water
will affect the rusting time of an iron. Thus, to prevent it, owner can coated the iron metal with
paint or others substances.