Upper School students in Dr. Ricci's Chemistry class recently engaged in a hands-on experiment to analyze the effectiveness of various corrosion prevention methods.
The lab began with students selecting two nail treatments from different categories—surface coatings, chemical additives, or metal wires and strips—and applying them to iron nails. To ensure a baseline for comparison, each group included an untreated control nail. The nails were then embedded in an agar gel and left overnight, with two indicators added to monitor chemical changes: phenolphthalein, which turns pink to signify reduction (electron gain), and potassium ferricyanide, which turns blue to indicate oxidation (electron loss). This controlled environment enabled students to observe the rusting process in real time and analyze the redox reactions as they occurred.
As students evaluated the effectiveness of their selected corrosion prevention methods, the results demonstrated varying degrees of success. While some treatments effectively inhibited oxygen and water exposure, minimizing rust formation, others, such as sodium chloride (table salt), accelerated the corrosion process. The experiment prompted critical analysis of chemical indicators in identifying redox reaction sites and electron transfer mechanisms between half-reactions. By comparing the untreated control nails with the treated samples, students conducted a data-driven assessment to determine the impact of different methods on oxidation.
The Upper School offers a rigorous academic curriculum taught by passionate and expert teachers. Dr. Jessica Ricci has been part of the Sierra Canyon Science Department since 2015 and continues to inspire students to delve deeply into their particular areas of interest.
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