Experiment 3_ Galvanized Nails Lab Report

Alexia Calderon Martinez 237628 - 21191/Paul Abi Abby R, Abby B, Grace F 2/13/2024 Experiment 3: Galvanized Nails Purpose: Galvanized nails are coated with zinc to prevent them from getting rusty. The zinc coating provides safety for people who use the nails and should last longer in the long run due to the zinc coating. In the industry, it is believed that nails will follow industry standards, which are determined by the chemical reaction of a galvanized nail placed in a hydrochloric acid solution that relieves the coating on the nail. Hydrochloric acid is being used to remove the zinc coating off the galvanized nail which will cause the nail to lose mass. The HCL will also cause the nail to lose its protective quality and be more able to get rust on the nail. In this lab, we will figure out whether the galvanized nails comply with industry standards. Materials and Methods: First, prep your data tables, to have one column for 5 different trials. Then obtain 5 galvanized nails . Using the caliper , measure the length of one nail in millimeters, next measure the diameter of the nail. Determine the mass of the nail, using the analytical balance . Next, add 6 mL of hydrochloric acid to a small test tube and place it in the test tube rack . Set a 2-minute timer, place the nail in the test tube, and start the timer as soon as you drop the nail into the test tube. Record the time and observations. After the 2 minutes, dump the contents into the “ waste beaker ” and using the forceps remove the nail, over the beaker rinse the nail with water , dry, and reweigh the nail. Record the final weight of the nail and observations of the nails. Repeat the steps with the 4 next nails. Materials - 5 Galvanized Nails - 5 Small Test Tubes - Test Tube Rack - Caliper - Analytical Balance - pH paper - “Waste Beaker” - Forceps - Water - Paper Towels - Neutralizer - Hydrochloric Acid

Data, Observations, Equations, and Calculations: Enter your data and observations here: ● Observations on the appearance of the nails ○ Smooth ○ Silver/light Gray ○ Metal Smell ● Observations on physical properties of hydrochloric acid ○ Strong Stench ○ Clear ● Observations on the reactions between acid and the metal ○ Bubbling up ○ Releasing heat ○ Strong smell ○ Releasing gas ○ When the match was over test tube releasing heat faster ○ When the match was over the test tube there was a popping noise ○ Acid turned gray not clear anymore at the end of the trial Table 1 : Provide a proper caption for your table Table 2: Provide a proper caption for your table Sample Zn Mass Loss per nail (g) Percentage Mass Loss (%) Mass Loss (g/mm 2 ) Mass Loss (oz/ft 2 ) Average Mass Loss (g/mm 2 ) 1 0.112 g 12.70% 3.13. x 10 -4 g/mm 2 1.03. oz/ft 2 4.94 x 10 -4 g/mm 2 2 0.128 g 14.47% 3.47. x 10 -4 g/mm 2 1.14. oz/ft 2 3 0.116. g 13.08% 3.24. x 10 -4 g/mm 2 1.06. oz/ft 2 Average Mass Loss (oz/ft 2 ) Trial # Length (mm) Diameter (mm) Radius (mm) Surface Area (mm 2 ) Initial Mass (g) Start Time (pm) Stop Time (pm) Final Mass (g) 1 39.27 mm 2.78 mm 1.39 mm 258.88. mm 2 0.88. g 12:35 pm 12:37 pm 0.77. g 2 39.01 mm 2.90 mm 1.45 mm 258.32. mm 2 0.88. g 12:42 pm 12:44 pm 0.76. g 3 38.56 mm 2.84 mm 1.42 mm 254.95. mm 2 0.88. g 12:51 pm 12:53 pm 0.77. g 4 37.55 mm 1.03 mm 0.515 mm 237.60. mm 2 0.91. g 12:54 pm 12:56 pm 0.77. g 5 38.89 mm 2.77 mm 1.385 mm 256.41. mm 2 0.89. g 1:00 pm 1:02 pm 0.77. g

Claim(s): Based on the experiment, the nails used in the laboratory investigation exceed the industry standard in terms of quality. They are described as being "above industry standards" and deemed to be of high quality. This suggests that the materials used in the laboratory investigation are reliable for their intended purpose. Overall, the experiment's findings indicate that the nails meet or exceed expectations in terms of quality, ensuring the reliability and effectiveness of the results obtained. Evidence and Analysis: Based on the observations from data table 1, it's evident that the final mass for each trial remained consistent, except for a slight variation in trial 2, which differed by only 0.01 grams from the rest. Despite this minor difference, the overall trend suggests a distinctive level of uniformity in the final mass across all trials. Contrarily, while the initial mass for each nail showed similarity, they were not identical, which makes me believe that companies may not galvanize nails based on their surface area. Additional analysis of trial 4 in both data table 1 and table 2 reveals a notable difference in surface area compared to the other nails. This variance in the surface area likely resulted in a higher amount of zinc on the nail during the galvanization process. Notably, the mass lost in trial 4 was substantially greater than the highest industry standard for galvanized nails, which typically averages around 1 oz/ft^2. In contrast, the mass loss in trial 4 exceeded this industry standard by 2.72 oz/ft^2. Despite this deviation in trial 4, the overall assessment of the nails' quality remains positive. The highest industry standard for galvanized nails is 1 oz/ft^2 based on the information provided in our laboratory manual, which was met by all nails in the experiment. My average mass loss observed in the experiment totaled 1.62 oz/ft^2, which exceeds the industry standard, but was slightly lower than the class average of 1.75 oz/ft^2. This comparison emphasizes the consistency and reliability of the nails used in the laboratory investigation, reaffirming their suitability for their intended purpose. With all nails meeting or exceeding the industry standard and displaying consistent mass loss during performance across trials, it can be concluded that the nails used in the lab are indeed of finer quality. The deviation observed in trial 4 does not negate the overall reliability and effectiveness of the nails, as demonstrated by their consistent performance and adherence to industry standards. Therefore, the nails used in this experiment can be deemed of superior quality, ensuring reliable results and suitability for various applications. Reflection: 1. What were some possible sources of errors that may have impacted the results for galvanized nails? Are these determinate or indeterminate errors? Give an example of each. a. Some possible source of errors that may have impacted the results for galvanized nails was how long it took for us to take out the nail after the timer went off, this would be an indeterminate error as this is something we cannot go back and change, as it is part of the reaction and can be called an outside factor that could impact the overall experiment. An example of a determinate error could be the wrong amount of significant figures, which you can always go back and fix.

2. What is the purpose of galvanizations? Are galvanized nails better than non-galvanized nails (explain)? a. The purpose of galvanizations is to prevent early rust and decay. Galvanized nails are better than non-galvanized nails because although the galvanized nails will also eventually rust, the galvanization will stretch the nails’ lifespan compared to the non-galvanized nails. Safety and Waste Disposal Plan: In this lab, we stayed safe from the acids, by wearing goggles the WHOLE time and using gloves when we were handling anything in our experiment. The only time we were allowed to take them off was to grab our pen(s) to write in our lab notebook. We did not smell or touch the acid as it is very strong and can irritate your nose and/or skin. If any was spilled we would have to call over our lab instructor so they can safely clean it up. “Maximum removal of zinc from solution by this method occurs at pH 8.6. At this pH, the level of dissolved zinc is reduced to approximately 0.3 mg/L. The zinc now exists in a different physical state, as small solid particles of zinc hydroxide. The zinc removal process is not complete until these metal solids are removed from the wastewater. Because these solids are finely divided, removal is generally accomplished by sedimentation over time, followed by filtration. The solids produced are referred to as sludge and must be disposed of as a hazardous waste.” - Laboratory Manual pg. 20 First we began by getting pH paper to test the pH of our waste solution. We then obtained around 80 mL of 2 M NaOH, before adding NaOH we tested the pH of our untreated waste, by daubing a small piece of pH paper with a drop of untreated waste using a stir rod. Then I added around 40 mL of 2 M NaOH into my waste beaker, mixed it in, and rechecked the pH by daubing a small piece of pH paper with a drop of my now-treated waste. Since my pH level was under 6, I added around 10 mL more of 2 M NaOH and remeasured the pH by daubing a small piece of pH paper. Once I added 10 mL more the waste began turning a darker blue/green color. Because it was still under our target pH of 7.8-9.2 pH I repeated the last step but added 5 mL of 2 M NaOH instead of 10 mL each time until I was around my targeted area. When my treated waste was at its designated pH levels I took it to the class waste and carefully dumped it. I noticed that when the treated waste was at its designated pH levels it turned a darker green/blue that matched the pH tester strip. After disposing of my waste safely I took the experiment nails and put them into the designated used-nail box.