Science Experiments

Archive for the ‘Science Experiments at Home’ Category

Question: I need help on my science fair project.?

I already have a topic and already started the experiment, but I need a little help with writing my abstract and most of the other writing parts. I am comparing the amount of air particles in an open environment to a closed one. { I live in AZ so I am comparing if a dusty open field would have more air particles than a place with more trees and plants around.}
They are both near roads that arent too busy and probably dont get much pollution, but other things like dust, dirt , pollen, and seeds would affect those areas.
I could really use some advice, because its due on the 14th and all i need to do is the writing.

Answer: You are doing fine. You managed to convey to me what your project is about, so you already know how to communicate.

It is very useful to see how articles and descriptions are written and to learn some of the teminology that is used in your topic. I am linking you here to an article written about the same topic that you are examining. As a scientist/engineer I find the language in the article to be a little “journalistic”, but it is basically OK.

Perhaps it would be useful for you to print out the article and go through and underline all the technical terms. For example, you will find the following terms on the first page:

“particulate matter”
“airborne dust”

So the terminology for your “air particles” is more correctly expressed as “particulate matter” or “airborne dust”.

This is often the best way to learn how to do something – to read what is “out there” and to understand it. The objective of a science fair project is to teach you, and to help you to teach others. It is very frustrating when you have a hard time communicating, and nobody else can really do it for you. You learn how to communicate by absorbing the terminology into your own language “tool box”, then arranging your thoughts clearly so that others can understand.

You will do just fine. There is great joy in learning how to organize your thoughts clearly enough to express them to others. That is one of the things that makes a good scientist, and you are already on your way.

I was a science fair judge at one point. It was always terribly obvious when students were presenting words, thoughts and experiments that belonged to their parents or friends instead of themselves. I used to love the kids who had enough confidence and initiative to plunge forward and make their own mistakes and discoveries. Go for it!

Air pollution experiment

Question: Magic Tricks?

Rather than giving a question, I request for some tricks you can do with mathematics. I have a party for my science class and the topic is most likely magic tricks. If you can’t think of math, think science. The most surprising trick will definitely get best answer.

Answer: how about this
Let a and b be equal non-zero quantities
a = b
Multiply through by a
a^2 = ab
Subtract b2
a^2 − b^2 = ab − b^2
Factor both sides
(a − b)(a + b) = b(a − b)
Divide out (a − b)
a + b = b
Observing that a = b
b + b = b
Combine like terms on the left
2b = b
Divide by the non-zero b
2 = 1

Top 10 Amazing quirky Science Tricks for parties

Question: I need a catchy title for my son’s science fair project.?

He is doing an experiment with burning money. He soaks a dollar bill in a mixture of alcohol and water. Then he lights the bill. It won’t burn, of course. The alcohol burns off leaving a wet dollar bill. Anyway, please HELP project due MONDAY. Thanks

Answer: Makes me think of the phrase “He’s got money to burn.” How about a variation of that:

Money to Burn: Studying the anti-inflammatory property of dollar bills

Money to Burn – Cool Science Experiment