PHYSICAL SCIENCE

Q6 Describe an activity to show that rust is basic in nature?

ANS: - The activity to show that rust is basic in nature is: -

Before starting the activity we have to collect some items such as

Iron, water, oxygen present in air, test tubes, blue and red litmus
papers and spoonful of rust.

Let’s start the activity.

First let us check the nature of rust. Which is formed as a result of the
reaction between iron, oxygen and water. Then we have to collect a
spoonful of rust and dissolve it in a small amount of water inside a
beaker. Then you will find that the rust remains suspended in water.
Then shake the suspension well. Then test the solution with red and
blue litmus papers (Fig.-4.3).
What do you observe?
We can observe that Iron when exposed to moist air for a long time
forms brown flaky substance on its surface called rust.
Is the solution acidic or basic?
I feel that the solution is basic because Iron is a metal and metals or
metallic oxides are also called basic oxides. [Basic oxides-means
they are basic in nature]. The causes of corrosion or rusting requires
the presence of water and oxygen.