Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

Hi
I was conducting my rusting out experiment and after being submerged in orange juice for 2 minutes, the steel wools temperature went down by 10 degrees in 15 minutes. Is this right? Is the temperature supposed to drop or rise when exposed to substances like this? Rusting is exothermic, do wouldn't the steel wool's tenpersture drop when it starts rusting?
My science fair is due in 3 weeks and i just found out about this. Help!

Thanks
Breadetaer

Hello there!

As the reaction is exothermic, the steel wool should decrease in temperature because it is releasing energy. This also means that the surroundings would increase in temperature, as it is absorbing the released energy.

To answer your question: if you are measuring the temperature of the steel wool, then the decrease in temperature is expected but if you are measuring the temperature of the surroundings, then the temperature should have increased.

I hope that helps!
- Kayli Masuda

Thanks for clearing my confusion Kayli!

-Bredetaer