Steel Wool and Vinegar Reaction

What you'll need:

• Steel Wool

• Vinegar

• Two beakers

• Plastic wrap or a lid (something to cover the beaker to keep the heat in)

• Temperature sensor

Instructions:

1. Place the steel wool in a beaker.

2. Pour vinegar on to the steel wool and allow it to soak in the vinegar for around one minute.

3. Remove the steel wool and drain any excess vinegar.

4. Wrap the steel wool around the base of the temperature sensor and place them both in the second beaker.

5. Cover the beaker with plastic wrap or a lid to keep the heat in.

6. Monitor it for around five minutes. Record qualitative data in your notebook.

What's happening?

Describe what you observed, visually.

Describe the change in temperature, in words.

Is heat being release from the reaction or absorbed?

Is the reaction exothermic or endothermic? How do you know?

What do you believe has happened between the vinegar and the steel wool in this reaction?

Adapted from:

http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/experiments/steelwoolvinegar.html