Results: (View appendix for raw data and pictures)

Figure?: Average loss of mass from nails in pH solutions (no sodium sulphite)

Table 1 effect of pH on the corrosion of a nail (with no Na2SO3)

pH Average change in Average initial Percentage of nail rusted

mass (g) mass nail (g) (%)
2 0.0086 1.073 0.8
7 0.007 1.07 0.654
10 0.007 1.076 0.65
12 0.004 1.068 0.437

Table 2 effect of pH on the corrosion of a nail (with Na2SO3)

Figure?: Average mass loss from nails in pH solution with sodium sulphite.
pH Average change in Average initial mass Percentage of nail
mass (g) nail (g) rusted (%)
2 0
7 0.00034
10 0.00034
12 0

This graph compares how the effect of changing the pH on the efficiency of the inhibitor. See that pH has no effect.
However, pH does seem to effect the corrosion of the nail. In that lower pH produces more corrosion as the nail has lost
more mass.

Effect of pH on the rusting of a nail

0.9

0.8

0.7 With sodium

sulphite
0.6
% nail rusted

Without sodium
0.5 sulphite

0.4
Linear (With
sodium sulphite)
0.3

0.2

0.1
y = 0.0021x + 0.0074
0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14
pH
Table 3 Effect of pH on the amount of rust produced (no Na2SO3)

pH Average initial Average Total Percentage rust

mass Nail (g) Rust collected (g) produced (%)
2 0.766 0.017 2.219
7 0.758 0.164 2.154
10 0.754 0.0137 1.033
12 0.779 0.0057 0.732

Table 4 Effect of pH on the amount of rust produced (with Na2SO3)

pH Average initial Average Total Rust Percentage rust

mass Nail (g) collected (g) produced (%)
2 0.754 0 0
7 0.754 0.00067 0.089
10 0.756 0.00034 0.045
12 0.770 0 0

See that lower pH produces more rust. This confirms first graph.

Effect of pH on rust produced

2.5

2 With sodium
sulphite
% rust produced (%)

1.5
Without
sodium
sulphite
1

Linear (With
0.5 sodium
sulphite)
y = 0.0006x + 0.0288
0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14
pH