Rusting: an irreversible change
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can describe rusting as an irreversible change, where a new material is formed.
Key learning points
- Rust is reddish brown in colour and has a rough texture.
- Rust is a new material that is formed when iron or steel is exposed to oxygen in the air and water.
- Rusting is an irreversible change whereby the original material cannot easily be recovered.
- Rusting materials can be looked at closely as they change over time, using observation skills.
Keywords
Rust - Rust is a reddish brown material which forms when iron or steel reacts with water and oxygen from the air.
Metal - Most metals are strong, hard and shiny materials.
Irreversible change - If a change is irreversible, it cannot be undone or changed back to its original state.
Observe - To observe is to look very closely and use other senses too.
Common misconception
Rusting happens immediately when the correct conditions are present and it only happens in water.
Teaching slides explain that rusting is not instant and that moisture from the air provides enough water for the process to take place.
Teacher tip
Encourage pupils to recognise that the water in the air is enough to provide the water needed for rusting and that items do not need to be submerged or partly in water to rust.
Equipment
Steel wool pads and bowls or saucers. Using a transparent centimetre square grid is optional.
Content guidance
Risk assessment required - equipment
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is a reversible change?
Q2.Evaporation happens faster when the temperature is ...
Q3.Match the reverse process of each change of state.
freezing
evaporation
Q4.At temperatures between 0°C and 100°C, water is in state.
Q5.Which gas from the air is used during burning?
Q6.Match the process to the change of state.
when a liquid changes to a gas
when a solid changes to a liquid
when a liquid changes to a solid
when a gas changes to a liquid
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1. forms when iron is exposed to water and oxygen and is reddish brown in colour.
Q2.Which skills are needed to monitor changes in materials as they rust?
Q3.The changes observed in rusting materials ...
Q4.What texture is rust?
Q5.Which of these are needed for rust to form?
Q6.Rusting is an change because it cannot be undone or changed back.
To help you plan your 5 science lesson on: Rusting: an irreversible change, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 5 science lesson on: Rusting: an irreversible change, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 2 science lessons from the Properties, changes and separating materials unit, dive into the full primary science curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.