Kids nail in salt water experiment not doing anything. Why?
Our child has a science experiment project where the instructions said to dissolve salt into hot water and then suspend a nail from a string into the water. We are supposed to report back what happens.
So, 5 days later, absolutly nothing has happened. Anyone know what was supposed to happen?
Is it possible we used the wrong type of nail (We used a galvanized nail), or maybe we didn’t use enough salt.
Please help in the name of kids science! 
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Unfortunately, I don’t really have much information on this subject. However, a galvanized nail (Galvanized is a protective layer around the outside of the screw to prevent rusting, or basic contact with the ‘elements.’) probably is the reason that the experiment is failed. When will they start producing specific projects for these kids!? Geesh.
Have you sealed the container? I could be wrong but I think that in order for rusting to occur in this experiment you need water, salt and oxygen. The dissolved oxygen in the hot water may not be enough to kick start the reaction.
You could try reboiling the water (always use boiling water in this kind of thing) and stirring in more salt. Ideally make the salt solution so that theres salt crystals in the bottom of the jar after the water has cooled down (its called a saturated solution then) and then try putting the nail in.
You could always try sandpapering the nail to remove the Zinc coating (thats the galvanised bit) or use a steel nail.
I’m guessing you should see the nail slowly rusting away in the jar.