how you tell if a nail is zinc-coated (galvanized)?

Question

I have a bunch of nails here with no packaging and I need a glavanized one for a science experiment that I'm doing..

Answer 1

Try to scratch the nails (just like cutting it)with a sharp object or a hacksaw blade and if you could see any difference it is only coated, and if its not ,then it's galvanized.And also, galvanized is more lighter than the steel/iron.You can also observed it by dropping the nails from the floor.If you drop the steel/iron nails it produce a much louder sound than the galvanized.So,you can start now your experiment by the LAW of Gravity..

Answer 2

Hi - A Galvanized nail will be a dull silver colour and probably very slightly rough, unlike an ungalvanized one which will be smooth.

Answer 3

Galvanized coatings are usually a silver color with some darker markings also.

Answer 4

It willm be shiny and smooth if it is galvanized. It will be dull and rough if it is zinc-coated Aka Hot-Dipped

Answer 5

As it is an experiment trial and error should solve you problem