Question

Hey guys~ I'm trying to start a biology lab and looking for some idea's
I have to identify the purpose of my investigation or the question I'm attemping to answer.

Answer 1

My topic is Surface Tension

Answer 2

I just need help forming a Hypothesis

Answer 3

Surface tension helps objects to float in water. Will the surface tension of water be affected if oil or soap are added to the water?

Answer 4

A hypothesis about surface tension? There are many to choose from depending on what you think surface tension would do under certain circumstances.

Answer 5

@abbie That's a good one

Answer 6

I was thinking as to testing the hypothesis using a penny as the where the water/oil water goes

Answer 7

or salt

Answer 8

ok then make a question about ur experiment

Answer 9

I'm having a brain fart the question should be an if,then question right?

Answer 10

do you aim to increase or decrease the surface tension? Most things will break apart the intermolecular hydrogen bonds, giving it less tension.

Answer 11

If I add salt to the water, Then the surface tension would hold less water

Answer 12

What do you think will happen? What actually happens at the end of the experiment? You should record these things as you work.

Answer 13

what do you mean by "surface tension would hold less water"?

Answer 14

@Neuronerd I aim to make the surface tension less because I know it's going to make it less xD

Answer 15

I've done this lab before there making me do it again

Answer 16

gotcha @dwagonslaya420, the penny idea is a good one, since its a standard item, but pennies have changed compositions throughout the ages so I would be careful. Also a penny will likely quickly drop to the bottom.

Answer 17

maybe choose a less dense object with a similar surface area? Something you know should float, but is standard enough that you can reliably do many trials (and across trials)

Answer 18

:) aww thanks for the medals!

Answer 19

just ideas, don't constrain your brain and do some preliminary studies and observe what you find

Answer 20

ur welcome neuro thnx for helping

Answer 21

Your welcome!

Answer 22

Yeah thank you for helping out this is definitely going to affect my judgement on what I use for the trials

Answer 23

so you can choose from metals (most of them sink), wood, plastic, paper (may be unreliable)... What about plastic?

Answer 24

Maybe but what would I use?

Answer 25

I'm thinking and only thing I think of is a plastic cup

Answer 26

hmm I wonder if a CD would float?

Answer 27

That sounds like a good idea

Answer 28

well you would ideally want something flat, nothing that can twist around.

Answer 29

you could cut the bottom of a cup. Maybe do similar sized objects with varying weights (and compositions)

Answer 30

the experiment is your play thing :)

Answer 31

The water is the element I'm changing in the equation though

Answer 32

ah OK, then stick with one good object

Answer 33

Alright I'm going to get to work (:

Answer 34

:) do it, let me know what you get for your results!

Answer 35

Alright