1. From Gas to Rust: Measuring the Oxygen Content of Air
Christina Oliver
Grade 9

2. Problem
How much oxygen is used to oxidize steel wool, copper, and iron?
Also include rational for the project: interested in the concept when I came across it in a book in my school’s library. The main theory behind it was how much oxygen is in the air, this question intrigued me.

3. Research
Oxidation - Any chemical reaction in which a material gives up electrons, as when the material combines with oxygen. Burning is an example of rapid oxidation; rusting is an example of slow oxidation.
Rust - Any of various powdery or scaly reddish-brown or reddish-yellow hydrated ferric oxides formed on iron and iron-containing materials by low-temperature oxidation in the presence of water.

4. Hypothesis
If the metal rusts, then the level of the water in the measuring beaker will decrease.

5. Materials Six test tubes Six measuring beakers One ring stand
2 clamps
750 milliliters of water
2.9 grams of steel wool
2.9 grams of copper
2.9 grams of iron
Masking tape
Permanent marker

6. Procedure
One point four five grams of each metal (steel wool, copper, and iron) was placed into six different test tubes.
All six measuring beakers were filled with 125 milliliters of water.
These two measurements were recorded.
Each test tube was turned upside down and submerged to the 75 milliliter mark, and was held in place by either the ring stand or the clamps.
Every measuring beaker/test tube set was labeled, stating the metal contained and how much time that sample would spend submerged in water, using the masking tape and permanent marker.

7. Procedure (cont.) Two trials were conducted
Trial #1- one of each metal was submerged for three days
Trial #2- one of each metal was submerged for six days

8. Procedure (cont.) Variables & Controls
The independent variable was the varying types of metal: steel, copper, and iron
The dependent variable was the amount on rust on each sample.
The control of this experiment is the surrounding air.
The constants in this experiment are the type of test tubes used, the time spent each metal spent submerged in water, the water in each bottle/jar, and the temperature of the surrounding air.

9. Data Type of Metal: Steel Wool Iron Copper Trial: 1 25 2 Average:
Standard Deviation:

10. Data (cont.)

11. Conclusion
If the metal rusts, then the amount of water in the measuring beaker will decrease.
The hypothesis was supported because as the metals developed rust, the amount of water in the measuring beakers decreased.
One improvement I would have liked to make for this experiment would be to have differing samples in various locations. This would provide me with more data to answer my question more accurately with.

12. Thanks! Thank you for your attention! Any questions?
Kelley, Ivan F`. "Oxygen and Air Pollution." The Natural Health Place. Web. Nov <
Olson, Andrew. "From Gas to Rust: Measuring the Oxygen Content of Air." Science Buddies. Kenneth Lafferty Hess Family Charitable Foundation, 30 Jan Web. Nov <
"Oxidation." Answers.com. Answers Corporation, Web. Nov <
Pollick, Michael. "What Is Oxidation?" Wisegeek.com. Conjecture Corporation, 19 Nov Web. Nov <
"Rust." Answers.com. Answers Corporation, Web. Nov <
Thank you for your attention!
Any questions?