How to Dissolve Iron

You can dissolve iron with a solution of hydrochloric acid.
••• Hemera Technologies/PhotoObjects.net/Getty Images

Iron doesn't dissolve readily in water, although it will definitely rust more rapidly (as you've probably noticed from experience). Hydrochloric acid, however, can dissolve iron, and a more concentrated solution will dissolve it more rapidly. This simple experiment makes a great way to study reaction kinetics, but it does pose some possible hazards. First of all, it releases highly flammable hydrogen gas, so it should be performed under a fume hood. Moreover, hydrochloric acid is also a hazardous chemical if misused; it's especially important to avoid spilling it on skin or eyes. With these cautions in mind, you can dissolve iron using hydrochloric acid.

    Don your safety equipment, including goggles, gloves and coat. Make sure you have closed-toed shoes on.

    Place the iron nail in the beaker. It's preferable to use a nail short enough so it will fit at the bottom of the beaker, since that way you can submerge it completely in the HCl.

    Place the beaker and hydrochloric acid in the fume hood, together with your graduated cylinder. Make sure it is switched on and running properly (consult the manufacturer's instructions for specifics).

    Measure out 100 mL of the 1 molar HCl using your graduated cylinder and pour it over the iron nail.

    Things You'll Need

    • Goggles
    • Gloves
    • Lab coat
    • Iron nail
    • Beaker
    • 1 molar hydrochloric acid
    • Fume hood
    • Graduated cylinder

    Tips

    • Hydrochloric acid is often used to pickle steel by removing rust from its surface.

      A more concentrated solution of HCl will dissolve iron more rapidly, but concentrated solutions are also more hazardous to work with, so you should keep that in mind when designing your experiment. You could also try using different concentrations of HCl to study the effect of concentration on rate of reaction.

    Warnings

    • Again, remember that this reaction releases flammable gas, and the acid you are using is highly corrosive. Perform the experiment under a fume hood, and do not allow the acid to come in contact with your face or skin. Wear protective clothing throughout the experiment.

Related Articles

How to Make Acetate From Vinegar
How to Dissolve Calcium Oxalate
How to Make Sodium Nitrate
How to Make Lucas Reagent
How to Dissolve EDTA in Water
How to Reduce Nitroacetophenone With Tin & HCL
How to Dissolve Calcium Chloride
How to Remove Iron Filings From Magnets
The Effects of Acid on Different Kinds of Metal
How to Dissolve Sodium Bicarbonate
How to Make an EDTA Solution
What Happens When You Add Ammonium Nitrate to Water?
How to Use Vinegar & Salt to Make a Penny Disappear
How to Make Forensic Luminol
How to Make Homemade Glow Sticks
Dangers of Phosphoric Acid
Which Elements React With Hydrochloric Acid?
How to Dissolve Steel

Dont Go!

We Have More Great Sciencing Articles!