Science research

Wind chimes have come a long way since their banging, clanging days of old. Today’s precision-tuned wind chimes produce a melody as inviting, sweet, and clear as the song sung by pristine waters cascading down a mountain side on a hot summer’s day. That didn’t happen by accident. More than an enhancement to home décor and garden yard décor, a quality wind chime is crafted using a scientific approach to achieve the best sound possible.

The lengths and placements of tubular pipes might look as though they were put together haphazardly. In reality, their placement is dependant upon where each pipe will vibrate most when struck by the clapper.

Areas of the pipe called “anti-nodes” resonate with a clearer, truer sound. These special points are found at each end of the pipe, as well as in the center. String placement is also important. Holes for the string are drilled where the pipe vibrates least. This is known as the “node of vibration.”

That eye-catching wind chime hung from a tree limb to complete garden yard décor and landscape design is more than just lovely. It is a high precision instrument that joyously plays nature’s song. It is conduit to feng shui philosophy, based on the invisible yet tangible presence of universal energy flowing throughout our environment.

Wind chimes sound best when tuned to the pentatonic scale, the same used as the black keys on a piano. This type scale is best for generating pleasing but random notes – like those generated by the wind. Type of material used is also important. Some materials provide a clearer sound than others. For decorative purposes, the pipes on some wind chimes are made to look like copper. Some clappers are made from metal, some from wood, or another material to produce variations of sound, different from one another.

Besides making harmonious sounds generated by the force of air current, the wood and metal used in the production of wind chimes further enhances their connection to the feng shui philosophy and the importance of elements.

A wind chime is among the most perfect gifts for Mother’s Day. They also make meaningful anniversary gifts, and great personalized housewarming gifts. That is because they not only enhance home decorating and add interest to garden yard décor. They also are symbolic of harmony and peace…important elements of any relationship.

A quality set of tuned wind chimes can be found in lawn and garden stores, department stores, and some specialty shops. For your best selection and competitive pricing, however, purchase wind chimes on line.

Wind chimes…a unique and lovely way to set the tone for peace and harmony, while adding beauty and charm to your home or yard.

By: Stephen Betzen

All you need for this science project are the following materials:

A glass bottle such as a beer bottle, a glass soda bottle or something like that. A piece of string big enough to tie around the base of the bottle into a knot. Acetone. This is the fingernail polish remover A Match or Lighter Rubber gloves. Protective eye gear such as goggles

Put on your safety glasses and rubber gloves.

Put about two to three inches of water into the bottle.

Take the string and put it in a capful of acetone. Let it soak just for a moment so that the string is wet with the acetone.

Tie the string around the top part of the bottle, just where the neck of it widens into the main part of the bottle body.

Make sure the string is tight around it, and in a straight circle and stays in that one place.

Light the string all the way around with the lighter or a lit match. The string may burn for a moment with the fluid that is on the string. Once the flame goes out place the bottle in a bucket or sink filled with water. Hold onto the bottle and hold it upright as it is submerged. The water should cover all the way past where the string was on the bottle but does not have to completely cover the bottle.

Now put one hand on the bottom of the glass bottle and the other on the top mouth of the bottle and pull your hands toward each other and it should break easily and in a complete ring around where the string was. Please be careful when breaking the glass to avoid getting cut by glass or any slivers that may fly away from the glass.

Your research for this project is how did the acetone and flame make the glass section have a weak area so that it could break?

This project is good to do as a demonstration at science fairs because it is a great science project.

By: Lesa Bolt

Did you know that all foods we eat have some type of energy in them. That is why we eat them because our bodies need food to convert to energy and allow our muscles to move. Energy is heat for our bodies.

How can we see what type of energy a piece of food contains even though we are not eating it and digesting it? We will light a piece of food to show it has energy, otherwise it would not burn and then use the energy from it burning to show it can heat water.

Get these materials for the science experiment:

A large coffee can A smaller can like a soup can A wooden skewer like used for barbeque careful as the edges will be very sharp so ask a parent for help. You will now want to punch holes around the side edges of the large coffee can. You can use an ice pick with a hammer on a wooden cutting board. Definitely have your parents do this part. The reason for doing this is so that you can release a small bit of oxygen. The small can probably already has the top removed but if not go ahead and take the top off. Punch two holes in the top of the small can on opposite sides. Again have your parents do this hole punching. Put the wooden skewer through the holes so it evenly hangs from both sides. Pour a small amount of water into the small can. (About 2/3 to ½ cup works well.) Only use room temperature water. Use the thermometer to record the temperature. Now have your parents use a lighter and light the marshmallow on fire. Right away put the coffee can over the marshmallow and put the water filed soup can with wooden skewer on top of that. It should hang from the top of the coffee can over the marshmallow. It looks kind of like a camp fire as you are trying to heat the water in the soup can with the marshmallow. Let the marshmallow burn until it goes out. As soon as the flame goes out put the thermometer into the water and record the temperature.

Now you will do this with the peanut and piece of bread. (Note: the peanut may take a little while to light but do not give up. It will light because it has energy inside it.)

Make sure to record your temperature each time and use new room temperature water each time you do this.

What you have discovered is that each type of food we eat will burn because it has energy stored within it and that is what our body uses as fuel. Some foods have more energy inside them than others and that energy can be used to heat water just like it used the energy to keep our bodies warm.

What you are learning is that everything has energy which is measured in BTUs and for every BTU it should be able to raise four ounces of water 1 degree so when you see how many degrees the water temperature went up should show you how many BTUs of energy that piece of food contained.

By: Lesa Bolt