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Q&As since 1989


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How can testing ph levels and rust help the world

I am in 8th grade but need a good solid project on account I am taking a high school course.

I am required to test a project that not only helps the world but can be graphed and researched about. I would like to do some thing about this topic if you think it could fufill the standards.

Alyssa F
Student - Littleton, Colorado, US
2005

Experiments are relatively easy, saving the world is a bit tougher. No matter how proud one is of an idea they have come up with, some people will always think it's a bad idea. Republicans want to save the world from the bad ideas of the Democrats--and vice versa.

You have to decide, at least in a general way, what you think would make for a better world. I could say, for example, that maintaining the proper pH in the water cooling system of a Hummer will give it longer life, meaning that it's rich owner won't have to give any of his money to the starving immigrant mechanic with three children to feed who works in the local radiator shop.

Saving the world is tough, but you should be able to put some metal coins and washers in beaker [beakers on eBay or Amazon]s of varying pH and measure the corrosion by eye, with a ruler, or with a scale, and then make a case that high pH, low pH, or mid-level pH is better for the world. Good luck, Alyssa.

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
2005

Try getting thru to nace.org This is the web site for the national assn of corrosion engineers. You might be able to get some ideas and possibly a lot of reference sources for your research. It was down when I tried tonight.

James Watts
- Navarre, Florida
2005