1. Chemical Weathering Lab

2. Purpose/Problem Statement:
To determine what conditions are necessary for rust to form on steel wool.

3. Hypothesis/Prediction
Write a hypothesis using the IF, THEN, BECAUSE format.

4. Identification of Variables:
Manipulated:
The amount of water.
Responding:
The amount of rust.
Controlled:
The amount of steel wool
The amount of time

5. Materials:
steel wool
3 cups
water
scissors

6. Procedure: Gather your materials.
Using the scissors, cut the steel wool into 3 equal size pieces.
Place one piece of steel wool into a cup filled to the top with water.
Place a second piece of steel wool in a cup with a small amount of water * The water should touch but not cover the steel wool. *

7. Procedure: Place a third piece of steel wool in a cup with no water.
Allow the 3 cups to sit for 72 hours.
Observe the appearance of the steel wool in each container and record your results in table 1.
Clean up.

8. Table 1: Got Rust? Cup Number Labeled drawing of steel wool before
Labeled drawing of the steel wool after
Rust Rank
(amount of rust)
1 = least
3= most 1
Full of water 2
Small amount of water 3
No water

9. Graph & Conclusion
Make a bar graph of the rust rank of the 3 cups. (remember to include a title and labels for each axis.
Write your conclusion following the format on the “How to write an 8th grade lab write-up” handout.