We wanted to find out if acids affect metals more than bases or not. We thought that the bases would do better than the acids and affect the metal the most. We found out after the experiment that the water affected the metal the most. It is the neutral between acids and bases. We were wrong in our hypothesis. Some factors that may have affected our experiment were how long the nails were left in the paper towel, how wet the paper towels were, the humidity of the room, the temperature of the room, and many other things. If we could revise our experiment we would put the nails in an enclosed space were the temperature and humidity were always the same. We would also ask a new question: Which affects metals the most? Water, acids, or bases?

Our results could be used as information in the real world. If nails can’t handle substances with acids in them, then they shouldn’t handle acid rain that well. This could mean that new nails could be made that handle better against acid rain.