Science Experiments

Archive for October, 2006

Question: Science Experiment: Which plant will grow faster, the one watered with filtered water or tap water?

Hi, I’m doing this science experiment and I just want to see your opinions.

I planted seeds of Alyssum into two different pots.
One I watered with only filtered water, and the other one I only watered with tap water.
About 10 days after I planted the seeds, I observed that the tap water had one sprout, and the drinking water had two sprouts. Unfortunately, I don’t know how many seeds I planted in each. So, as of today, the experiments suggests to me that the plant with drinking water grows faster.

Today I checked the pots, and both had two sprouts. The tap water had just sprouted another one.

So, I would like to know with the plant Alyssum, would filter water make it grow better/ faster or will tap water?
thanks!

btw, both plants are in the same spot. So in addition to getting the same amount of water, they get the same amount of sunlight also. The soil I used are also relatively similar.

Answer: When one does an experiment especially comparative testing, every thing should be equal in all aspect to come up with an accurate result. Assumption, equal size of seed, equal amount of soil, equal amount of water, sunlight. Equal distance on how deep the seed was placed underneath the soil.
These factors plays a crucial role on the results plus how fast the germination process of seeds. The tap water is best as it contain minerals which is absent from the filtered water. Filtered water has undergone filtration and has remove some of the natural elements necessary for Seed Germination. Filtered water is good for human consumption but tap water is better for plant consumption. Humans and plant differ in water quality as plants and humans process water differently.

Plants Science Experiment – Beans Explosion

What is a manometer?

A Manometer is a scientific instrument used for Pressure measurement of liquids and gases.

U tube manometer

The U tube manometer is the simplest version of Manometers. A U tube manometer consists of a constant bore glass tube in the form of a long U, partly filled with a suitable liquid such as water, alcohol or mercury. A U tube manometer is shown below.

Figure 5: U Tube Manometer

How to use a U tube manometer to measure Pressure

To measure the Pressure of a fluid which is less dense and immiscible with the manometer fluid, a connection is made to one limb of the U-tube while a suitable reference Pressure is applied to the other limb. The vertical displacement z of the manometer fluid gives an indication of the applied Pressure difference Dp. If P_m is the density of the manometric fluid, P_f that of the fluid whose Pressure is to be measured and g is the gravitational acceleration, then

Dp = (P_m – P_f)gz

Click here to read about Bourdon Tube for Pressure measurement.

A manometer

Question: What happens in this experiment and why?

Procedure
1.Blow up a balloon and rub the balloon on your head to build up a charge.
2.Place an empty cola can (aluminum) horizontally on a smooth surface (kitchen floor) and slowly bring the charged balloon close to the can.
3.Observe what happens and record your observations in the science journal.
4.Repeat steps 1 and 2 using a full can of cola.
5.Record in the science journal what happened this time and why?
6.Rub the balloon on your head again. Hold the balloon. Do not set it down.
7.With your other hand, pick up and rub the empty cola can on your head.
8.Place the empty cola can horizontally on the smooth surface and slowly bring the balloon near the can. What happened? Record your observations in the science journal.

what happens and why?
i would do it myself but i don’t have the resources

Answer: the balloon sticks to the can via static electricity

How to Make Giant Smoke Rings! – Cool Science Experiment