Speed Rusting and Hot Hands

This experiment will demonstrate the heat that is released when iron is oxidized. Students will learn to prepare chemical mixtures safely, identify when a chemical reaction is taking place, observe the results of an exothermic chemical reaction and the effects of differing constituents on the rate of the reaction, and apply their observations to the refining and corrosion of iron. This activity would be appropriate for high school and college level students. The lesson should take about 20-30 minutes of class time. This document will serve as a framework for instructors and may be downloaded in PDF format.