This is a lesson on
designing an experiment. Go through the worksheet and underline where math is
involved and answer questions with an *.
Problem:
What causes metals to rust faster?
* Materials: List
the measuring equipment you will need for the experiment and other materials
Procedure: Underline
the areas where math is involved.
Collect five test tubes
for each metal that you plan to use. If you have 5 metal samples you will
need 25 test tubes.
Label 5 test tubes for
each metal with a letter. For example for steel wool you label the test
tubes A, brass B, copper C and so forth.
Prepare your salt
water solution using 15ml of salt and 200ml of distilled water. Swirl to
mix until no more salt crystals are left.
Cut metal wires into
4cm pieces and bend loosely into 1cm sections. Continue until you have five
pieces of each metal. For steel wool, unroll the steel wool pad and cut six
1.5x1.5cm squares and gently roll into loose balls.
Complete the following
steps for each type of metal you have.
Pipette 3ml of the salt
water solution into one of the test tubes for each metal. Label the test
tube with a “1” after the letter. Place a metal sample into each test tube,
cap and record the different metals.
Dip a metal sample
into the salt water solution and shake off excess water. Place your metal
sample in the test tube, and label with a “2.” Cap, and record the metal.
Pipette 3ml of
distilled water into 5 test tubes label with a “3.” Place a metal sample
into each test tube, cap, and record the different metals.
Dip each metal sample
into distilled water and shake off excess water. Place the metal sample
into the test tube, label with a “4”, cap and record.
For the last piece of
metal just place in a test tube and do nothing. This is your control.
*Data: Make a
chart for metals and solutions. Make sure that you label the metals
according to the letter that you gave them. Also do the same for the
solutions. Think about how to keep good records.
*Conclusion:
What questions do you want to answer?
Does your form allow you
to find this information?
Once
you collect the data above, what would be a good way to display your results?
