Analysis of Galvanized Steel

Gravimetric Analysis of Galvanized Steel

Purpose The goal of this lab is to determine the thickness of the coating of zinc on galvanized steel using the mass and volume of a sample of galvanized steel, and by using a larger mass; it is possible to minimize percent uncertainty.

Reactions

Molecular:

Complete Ionic:

Net Ionic:

Oxidation Half Reaction:

Reduction Half Reaction:

Data and Calculations

Density of Zinc:

Density: Specifications of Galvanized Steel from Trial 1:

1.07cm x 1.51cm

Before Reaction: 1.349g

After Reaction: 1.302g

Specifications of Galvanized Steel from Trial 2:

2.71cm x 2.58cm

Before Reaction: 6.350g

After Reaction: 6.154g

Creation of 6M HCl Solution:

Mass of Zinc Trial 1:

Before Reaction:

After Reaction:

Max:

Min:

Length and Width of Steel:

x

Max Length: 1.12cm

Minimum Length: 1.02cm

Max Width: 1.56cm

Minimum Width: 1.46cm

Solving for Thickness of Zinc of Trial 1:

Percent Uncertainty Trial 1:

Solving for Thickness of Zinc of Trial 2:

Percent Uncertainty Trial 2:

Conclusion In this lab, galvanized steel is made my taking a plate of iron or steel and plating it either chemically or by electrolysis with zinc in order to form a protective layer over the steel, this is done so that the zinc oxidizes before the iron does, leaving the steel resistant to corrosion. By causing the zinc to form a bond in solution with chlorine ions after adding HCl solution, the steel is left with no layer of zinc on the outside. When this zinc is gone, the difference in masses can be used to determine the By doubling the mass used in the analysis, the percent uncertainty should be reduced by more than half due to the ever constant uncertainty of the scale and the changing of the other masses, making more significant figures and so more precise data. In order to find the thickness of zinc on a