Investigating Rust

Over the course of Term 2, students have been working on a rust investigation as part of our Chemical Science unit on reversible and irreversible changes. This task encouraged them to explore key scientific concepts such as forming a hypothesis and identifying independent, dependent, and controlled variables.

Students placed nails into three different solutions: air, water, and saltwater. Over a period of seven weeks, they recorded observations and took photos to monitor changes. At the conclusion of the investigation, students reviewed their hypothesis, determined whether it was supported by their results, and summarised their findings. They also had to decide whether the changes they observed were reversible or irreversible, applying their scientific understanding to justify their reasoning.