The oxidization of iron causes the bonding characteristics of the new substance to be different. Once iron has oxidized, it tends to flake off easily from the original structure, exposing new iron to be oxidized.
Jesse reads about how bridges sometimes collapse because uncontrolled rusting weakens their parts.
Which one of the following bridges would probably be weakened most rapidly by oxidation? Explain why you chose this bridge based on the factors influencing reaction rates.
Jesse and his dad were stopped in traffic because a work crew was painting a metal bridge. Jesse asked his dad, “Why do they need to paint the bridge?” His dad explained that the paint was needed to prevent the chemical reaction of rusting.
Iron + Oxygen --> Iron (II) Oxide
Jesse says, “Rusting is a chemical reaction? I thought rust was just something that happened.”
Which of these statements will help Jesse understand rust is actually a chemical reaction?
Which one of these statements best explains why the rest of Jesse’s family told Jesse his prediction can’t be right?
Which statements describe why either Jake’s or Paula’s prediction could be correct, depending on whether the jar remains closed or open?
Select the TWO best answers.
Which one of these models best demonstrates the correct atomic configuration and electron transfer that occurs in the formation of iron (III) oxide?
Jesse says, “I can use patterns on the periodic table to predict all kinds of things. I predict that iron will bond with sulfur to form a molecule similar to the way a molecule forms when rusting occurs.”
Which one of these patterns of the periodic table best allows Jesse to make this prediction?
Now that Jesse understands the importance of oxygen in causing iron to rust, he realizes that the purpose for painting the bridge is to keep the two reactants separated. If the paint peels, the iron will begin to rust. He remembers that his dad said meats, apples, avocados, and other foods undergo this process.
Which one choice best demonstrates a way to prevent the process of oxidation that is similar to the way the painting of bridges prevents the process of oxidation?
Jesse’s family decides to conduct an experiment about rust to help Jesse understand. They predict what will happen when rusting nails are placed into a glass jar.
Jake says, “When the nails rust, the jar will get heavier.”
Paula says, “When the nails rust, the jar will stay the same weight.”
Dad says, “It depends.”
Jesse says, “When the nails rust, the jar will get lighter.”
Jesse’s family members immediately tell Jesse that his prediction can’t be right.
The family debated why they believed their predictions were correct. The conversation soon turned to Dad’s comment, “It depends.” Dad explained his answer by saying, “It really depends on whether we put the lid on the jar. Either Jake or Paula could be right.”
Jesse thinks about some things around his home that have rust on them, such as his old bike, the metal grille on the family's car, and some tools.
He asked his teacher, “Can we predict how things might rust?”
His teacher replied, “Rusting is a type of reaction called oxidation. You need to know the outer shell electron configuration to predict how a substance will oxidize.”
What one periodic pattern would most likely help Jesse predict the correct chemical formula for lithium + oxygen → lithium oxide?
Jesse’s teacher shows him a model that illustrates the electron configuration of lithium (Li) reacting with oxygen (O) to form lithium oxide. This type of model is commonly used to illustrate how periodic patterns help make predictions about how elements will bond to form compounds. Based on this model, and are likely to combine to form lithium oxide.
Jesse wonders if he can use this type of model to illustrate how the rusting of iron occurs.
