Science research » Glass Jar

Chemistry Science Projects Sure to Get a Reaction

admin — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 05:12:32 +0000

Chemistry science projects are all about the study of substances and their transformation; finding out what happens when they are combined together and how they react to one another. Chemical reactions can make exciting projects; just think of the classic working volcano project. The classic working volcano has been done many, many times, but that’s because it is a lot of fun to watch, but if you want to score points for originality you should choose a different project.

One fun (and delicious) chemistry science fair project is to make your own sugar crystals. Also known as rock candy, you have likely seen these in gift shops at pretty much any major attractions; science exhibits, the zoo and so on. They are pretty to look at and tasty to eat. In addition they are also extremely easy to make. All you need is sugar and water, plus a glass jar to grow them in and some string for them to grow up. It only takes a day before they begin to grow.

Another fun chemistry project might be to see if colored candles burn faster or slower than white candles. All you need for this project is a white candle, a few different colored candles, a lighter and adult supervision. Light each candle at the same time and observe the rate they burn at. Be sure to record your results.

One other project you could try is a project to see which type of tape sticks best to different types of surfaces. You can experiment and see which brands work better on which surfaces.

By: Dee Schrock

Science Project Idea To Grow Crystal

admin — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 01:57:05 +0000

What a great way to make a science project to learn how to create crystals.

A quick and beautiful crystal formation can be processed with a few simple items. If you want to prepare this science experiment you will need to go shopping for the following items or look for some of the pieces in your home.

You will need the following:

1 tall glass jar with a wide mouth. If you have a canning glass jar this would work well. Boiling water Copper sulfate (you can get this at a store that has agriculture products as this chemical is used for herbicide and fungicide. It usually is sold in a 50 pound large bag but you can explain to the sales person you are using it for a school science project and they probably sell you a small amount such as ½ pound) A pipe cleaner A string about 1 to 2 feet long. A pencil Rubber gloves

Steps to create your ultimate crystal:
Put your gloves on and take the pipe cleaner and form a circle and twist the ends together forming a circle. Take the string and attach the end of the string to the circle of the pipe cleaner. Squeeze the pipe cleaner slightly and twist a few times to create a different shape. Set your glass jar on the counter and place some newspaper underneath to avoid spills. Spoon a heaping tablespoon of copper sulfate into the jar. Pour about ¼ cup boiling water into the jar and stir well with a spoon. Add another heaping tablespoon of the chemical and another ¼ cup boil water. Do this until the jar is at least 2/3 full or almost full. After the water is all in you may add 1 more spoonful of copper sulfate and stir until dissolved. Tie the other end of the string to the pencil with the pipe cleaner tied to the opposing end. Make sure it is short enough so that the pipe cleaner can hang suspended in the center of the jar of water and the pencil will sit on top of the jar. Lower the pipe cleaner into the hot water and lay the pencil horizontal on top of the glass jar. Leave the jar alone for 24 hours.

In one day get the jar and remove the pencil from the water. You should see a beautiful dark blue crystal formed on the pipe cleaner. Depending on the amount of copper sulfate in the liquid will depend on the amount of crystal formed. Of course, a large amount means a large crystal and a small amount should be smaller crystals.

You can discard the liquid in a safe place. You may want a parent to dispose of it. Do not pour it down the sink.

By: Lesa Bolt

Physical Science Fair Projects Made Fun and Easy

admin — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 13:12:05 +0000

Physical science fair projects are for those who are interested in learning about electricity, energy, gravity, machines, magnets and how materials change and combine. There are many sub-categories that go along with physical science, so you should have no trouble finding a topic that interests you.

One interesting project is to build your own electroscope, which is really quite simple. The experiment involves taking a glass jar and covering it with a piece of cardboard that is a little bigger than the jar’s opening, sticking a nail into the middle of the cardboard, and then attaching two thin pieces of foil to the end of the nail. Another fun project is to create sparks with static electricity and experiment to find out what sort of materials work best for creating sparks by walking around on carpet and dragging your feet. This will work up some static electricity, which will allow you to create sparks when touching various materials. You can also further the experiment by seeing which type of shoes work best for creating static electricity.

Remember, when you are experimenting with sparks to use extra caution as sparks CAN result in fire, and make sure you don’t touch your computer when you are charged with static electricity, as you can damage the sensitive components inside. Also be careful not to touch any electrical appliances, although most are safely grounded. You could also experiment with static cling. See when static cling occurs, which types of materials are more prone to static cling and how you can stop it.

By: Dee Schrock

Elementary Science Fair Projects – Growing Crystals

admin — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 06:31:55 +0000

In this elementary science fair project we are going to look at crystals and we are going to try and grow crystals. In nature we find crystals in all shapes and sizes. We get ones that are considered valuable, like diamonds, and others that are not considered so valuable. All crystals have their own quality and are beautiful. Crystals are easy to grow and are therefore a very suitable elementary science fair project.

The definition of a crystal according to the Oxford Dictionary:

A piece of a homogeneous solid substance having a natural geometrically regular form with symmetrically arranged plane faces. Chemistry: any solid consisting of a symmetrical, ordered, three-dimensional aggregation of atoms or molecules. A clear transparent mineral, especially quartz.

For our elementary science fair project we are going to grow crystals in a gelatin solution. Because heat is going to be used, this science experiment should be done under adult supervision.

What you will need for this experiment:

A 1-pint glass jar A ¼ cup of table sugar A ½ Cup of distilled water 0.25 ounce of unflavored gelatin A small saucepan Spoon

The method for this elementary science fair project:

First you have to pour the water into your saucepan. Now you sprinkle the gelatin over the water and allow it to soak for a few minutes. Place the saucepan on the stove and heat the water while you are stirring to dissolve the gelatin completely in the water. Continue stirring while you add the sugar. Continue until the sugar is completely dissolved in the water. After the solution (what is a solution?) has cooled down for about 5 minutes you have to pour it carefully into your jar. Now you have to leave the jar undisturbed for at least two weeks. Make daily observations and write them down carefully. It might even be a good idea to take photos of your elementary science fair project every day to use in your display. Remember a good display is almost as important as the experiment! Take note that more than one thing happens at a time with this experiment. What are the two things? Why is it happening?

If you did this elementary science fair project right, the gelatin in the water will cause the water to set. (Think jello!) The other thing that happens is that after a few days clear crystals form inside the gel and it appears to be suspended throughout the gel. Remember to take photos every day to show how the crystals grow bigger and bigger every day. You can also draw charts to show how the crystals are formed throughout the gel.

Now you also have to be able to explain why it happens:

As you heat the water, more of your solute (that what is dissolved in the water) will dissolve in the water (called your solvent) as would have when the water is cold. Now when the water starts to cool there is more sugar dissolved in the water than would normally have been dissolved in it. Now we get what is called a supersaturated solution.

Now, as the water evaporates your solution becomes even more supersaturated and it becomes unstable, now any disturbance will cause the microscopic molecules of the solute to stick together and form crystals. At first the crystals are too small to be seen but, as they grow they become bigger and visible as they form clumps throughout the gel. The reason for the gel in your elementary science fair project is to keep the crystals suspended and thus ensuring that many crystals form.

For an even better elementary science fair project you can do more than one experiment. Repeat the above but change some of the conditions. See what happens of the solution cools down slower by maybe placing your jar in a big thermos flask. You can also use a bottle with a narrow mouth instead of the jar and see if the slower evaporation of the water makes a difference. You can even make a solution with different kinds of sugar such as sucrose glucose and fructose and see what happens then. The possibilities are endless and this elementary science fair project can be as simple or as involved as you would like.

By: Magrietha Du Plessis