Wind Racers

Year 10 Wind Racers

Aim:

To build the fastest wind racer out of the supplied materials.

Equipment:

• Trolley (cart chassis)
• String
• Cardboard
• Paper
• Scissors
• Tape
• clamp stand

Research:

Method:

1. Screw the pole from the clamp stand into the chassis.
2. Tape strips of cardboard onto the base of the pole so they form the base of the sail.
3. Cut out a large piece of paper and fold it over and around the pole to form sails.
4. Tape it together and ensure it is stable and secure.
5. Decorate the sails and name the vessel.
6. Use the wind blower and measure the distance and speed it travels.

Results:

Our wind racer went a distance of 12 meters in a time of 27 seconds. Using the formula of speed= distance/ time i can calculate the speed of my wind racer.

v= d/t
v= 12/27
v= 0.445 m/s

Biuret Test for Proteins

Testing for the Presence of Proteins

Aim:
To test to see if a sample of food contains proteins.

Equipment:

• Test tube
• Sodium Hydroxide (0.1 mol/L)
• Copper sulfate (0.1 mol/L)
• Food sample (milk and eggs)

Method:

1. Place about 2mL of sample into a test tube.
2. Add 5 drops of sodium hydroxide
3. Add 5 drops of copper sulfate
4. Shake the test tube gently from side to side.
5. Record your observations.

Results:
The egg whites when tested with the Biuret solution turned a light blue colour and on further addition of sodium hydroxide turned a dark purple colour.

The milk did also turn a light blue colour but then stayed light blue. Due to the original colour of the milk the solution stayed a blue with a slight hint of pruple.

Conclusion:
Both the milk and eggs turned the blue biuret solution a purple colour which shows the presence of protein. Both milk and eggs are good examples of everyday foods which we expect to be high in protein and this test had confirmed that.

Simple and Complex Sugars Tests

Testing for Simple Sugars

Aim:

To test a sample of food to determine if it contains simple sugars.

Equipment:

Bunsen burner, test tube tongs, Benedict's solution, a sample of food.

Method:

1. Place about 2mL of sample (orange juice) into a test tube and then add 5 drops of Benedict's solution.
2. Heat with a Bunsen burner until it changes colour. Do not boil.

Results:

When the blue Benedict's solution was added to the orange juice a green solution was formed. However after heating the solution turned a a orange/brown colour.

Conclusion:

The Benedict's solution will turn from a blue to a yellow to a red/ orange if a simple sugar is present. When the colour of the orange juice was taken into account this colour change was observed. Hence orange juice must contain simple sugars.

Testing for Complex Sugars

Aim:

To test if a food sample contains complex sugars or not.

Equipment:

Test tube, food sample, iodine solution

Method:

1. Place about 2mL of the sample (frozen bread and water) in a test tube.
2. Add 3-5 drops of iodine solution.

Results:

When i added the brown solution to the bread it turned a black colour. 

Conclusion:

Because the iodine turned from a brown to a black colour then the bread must contain a complex sugar (starch).

Aerodynamic Airplane

Aerodynamic Airplane Challenge

Aim:

To create a paper plane and throw it over the arch. It will fly the furthest.

Equipment:

2 x A4 pieces of paper

30cm of celloptape

scissors

1 straw

Research:

Paper plane world championships

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUyqakRMrxo

Method:

Results:

Discussion:

It flew for a long time because there was good support holding it up and the the plane was aerodynamic which meant that there was minimal air resistance or friction. I threw it with a lot of force so the thrust force was large as well.

Separating and Mixing

Making a Copper Sulfate Salt

Aim: To produce copper sulfate salt by reacting copper oxide with an acid

Equipment: 
Copper oxide powder, dilute sulfuric acid, measuring cylinder, 2x 100mL beakers, bunsen burner, tripod, gauze mat, funnel, filter paper, themometer, spatula, evaporating basin, stirring rod.

Method:

1. Add 20mL of sulfuric acid to a 100mL beaker. Heat to 70degrees. Turn off your bunsen.
2. Once heated, use a spatula to add pea sized portions of copper oxide. Stir for 30secs
3. Repeat step 2 until no more dissolved.
4. Fold filter paper and place in funnel. Place the funnel in the second beaker.
5. Make sure your first beaker is cool enough to hold and then pour it into the funnel. Gently swirl and allow to filter through.
6. Rinse the beaker and fill with 50mL of water and place on tripod. 
7. Place evaporating basin on top of beaker and pour some solution in.
8. Gently heat until the solution has reduced by half.
9. Take off heat and allow to cool.

Results and Discussion:
The acid quickly reached the required temperature of 70 degrees and it then took multiple portions of the copper sulfate before the solute was no longer dissolving and a very dark blue solution was present. After filtering the solution it became a light blue.
We then placed that solution in an evaporating basin 

After reducing it by half we left it overnight.
The next day there were little blue crystals formed in the basin and no more solvent.

Conclusion:
This experiment involved dissolving a solute in a solvent to create a solution. We then filtered the solution and evaporated it until we were left with the solid again, in the form of crystals- a successful experiment!

Solubility Experiment

Aim:

To investigate the solubility of baking soda, table salt and copper oxide to see which is the most soluble

Equipment:

100mL beaker, 100mL measuring cylinder, salt, baking soda, copper oxide, stirring rod, spatula.

Method:

1. Fill beaker with water
2. Add a spatula full of baking soda.
3. Stir the solution until it dissolves.
4. Repeat step 2 and 3 until no more will dissolve.
5. Record how many spatula fulls were added.
6. Repeat the experiment with salt and copper oxide.

Results:

Baking Soda took roughly 6 spatula fulls before no more would dissolve in 50mL of water.
Salt needed around 9 spatula fulls before no more would dissolve in 50mL of water.

The copper oxide would not dissolve in the water.

Discussion:
The salt was more soluble than the baking soda as when we dissolved the solute in the solvent we were able to dissolve more salt than the baking soda. The solution went clear after stirring each spatula full until no more would dissolve. The copper oxide turned the solution black and would not dissolve, hence the copper oxide is insoluble in water.

Conclusion:
This experiment showed that some solutes are more soluble than others in a solvent such as water. This also showed that some solutes are insoluble, meaning they do not dissolve.

Dilution Experiment

Aim:

To make a dilution series to investigate concentration.

Equipment:

Potassium permanganate crystals, 6 test tubes, test tube rack, tweezers, pipette, 10mL measuring cylinder

Method:

1. Place the test tubes in the rack.
2. Using the measuring cylinder, fill test tube 1 with 10mL of water and fill the remaining test tubes with 5mL of water.
3. Add a single crystal of potassium permanganate to test tube 1.
4. Gently shake until the crystal has dissolved.
5. Using the pipette, transfer 5mL from test tube 1 to tst tube 2.
6. Rinse the pipette thoroughly and continue to transfer from 2 to 3 and so on.

Results and Discussion:

When i added the crystal to test tube 1 the solvent quickly turned purple as the solute dissolved. As i transferred 5mL from one test tube to another the solution got a lighter and lighter shade of purple.

Conclusion:
As i transferred 5mL from one test tube to another i was halving the concentration of the solution as the ratio of potassium permanganate to water in solution became less and less. This is called a dilution series as we slowly diluted the original solution.

Chromatography

Aim: 

To separate the different pigments in inks using paper chromatography.

Equipment:

Ink pens, small beaker, strip of filter paper, ice-block stick, tape, chromatography solution.

Method:

1. Cut a piece of filter paper long enough to reach the bottom of your test tube.
2. Rule a line in pencil 2cm from bottom of paper.
3. Fill test tube with 1cm of chromatography solution (water).
4. Place a dot of ink above the ruled line.
5. Fold over test tube and place in solution.
6. Wait and observe.
7. Repeat with 2 other colours.

Results and Discussion:

The dot of ink ran up the filter paper and as the different pigments separated out. A couple of good examples were using the blue and purple pen because it clearly showed the colours of green/yellow and red/ blue. The one on the right was in fact a black felt tip marker and it clearly showed the separation of many different colours. 

Conclusion:
Some colours are more soluble in water than others as they travelled further up the filter paper. Chromatography also identifies the pigments which a certain colour is made up of.

First Science Investigation

First Science Investigation- Ball Bounce

Aim: To measure the bounce of a tennis ball and to see if there is a relationship between the height it is dropped from and the height of the bounce.

Hypothesis: I think that as i increase the height i drop the ball from, the height of the first bounce will increase as well.

Equipment: 

• Meter ruler
• Tennis ball
• retort stand and clamp

Method:

1. Clamp the ruler to the retort stand, making sure it's straight.
2. Get a tennis ball and release it from a set height.
3. Measure the height of the first bounce against the ruler.
4. Repeat at the same height.
5. Repeat the process for at least four other heights.

Key Variables:

Dependent: I will be measuring the height of the first bounce.

Independent: I will be changing the height that i drop the tennis ball from.

Control: I will keep the tennis ball and the ruler the same as well as the way that i drop the ball.

Results:

Height (cm)	Reading 1	Reading 2	Average
30	10	12	11
50	20	24	22
100	35	41	38
200	93	89	91
300	135	125	130
400	170	158	164

Discussion:
This experiment was successful as a clear trend can be identified between the height of the drop and the first bounce. The results are not 100% accurate as sometimes it was hard to measure the height of the bounce accurately to 1cm. Either needed another person helping or better use of video technology to assist. But because i took two readings i think the average is an accurate representation of the data.

Conclusion:
This experiment investigated the relationship between the height a ball is dropped from and the height of it's first bounce. After carrying out the investigation i can agree with my original hypothesis as the data clearly shows that as the height of the drop increased so did the height of the first bounce at a fairly steady and constant rate.

Science Equipment

Lab Equipment and Uses

Listed below are some of the more common pieces of lab equipment which everyone in the lab should know the name of, its main use and any related safety concerns.

A beaker. This is used for roughly measuring out larger quantities of solution.

A test tube. This is used to hold chemicals. Usually where a chemical reaction will take place.

A measuring cylinder. This is used to ACCURATELY measure out quantities of solution.

A funnel. This is used to assist the pouring of finer materials and also to be used as a makeshift filter (with the addition of filter paper).

A test tube holder. Is a device which allows you to securely hold a test tube- especially helpful when test tube is very hot!

A bunsen burner. This uses gas to create extremely hot temperatures in a controlled manner.

Clamp stand. This is used to hold test tubes securely in the air, perhaps above a bunsen burner.

Conical flask. This is a different beaker which roughly measures liquids.

Fume hood. When doing experiments which creates dangerous and toxix gases this sucks those up and stops the poisonous gases from being breathed in by the person doing the experiment. 

Biology Research

Arthritis

Arthritis is a disease which affects the mobility of joints, causing painful inflammation and stiffness of the joints. The two most common forms of the disease are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Osteoarthritis is a form of the disease where the cartilage between bones is worn away, causing the bones to rub against each other- very painful!


There are certain activities which can increase the risk of someone feeling the affects of osteoarthritis:

• Continual wear and tear
• Fractures and infections
• Overuse
• Physical inactivity
• Being overweight

Interesting fact: The term arthritis  refers to about 120 different diseases that can affect the joints, muscles and other soft tissues. The three most common forms are osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis. .

Heart Attack

What is a heart attack?

A heart attack happens when there is a sudden complete blockage of an artery that supplies blood to an area of your heart. A heart is a muscle, and it needs a good blood supply to keep it healthy.

The causes of heart attacks and how to prevent one?

The underlying cause of a heart attack is coronary heart disease. Some people may not know they have coronary heart disease until they have a heart attack. For others, a heart attack can happen after weeks, months or years of having coronary heart disease. 

Medical treatments and healthy lifestyle choices can help your heart attack recovery, greatly reduce your risk of further heart problems, and relieve or control symptoms such as angina.

Symptoms of a heart attack?

Discomfort or pain in your chest. This can often feel like a heaviness, tightness or pressure. People who have had a heart attack have commonly described it as like “an elephant sitting on my chest”, “a belt that’s been tightened around my chest” or “bad indigestion”. The discomfort may spread to different parts of your upper body. Discomfort in your arm(s), shoulder(s), neck, jaw or back is common. You may have a choking feeling in your throat. Your arms may feel heavy or useless.

DNA Extraction from a Banana

Aim:

To find a valid method online and then to successfully extract strands of DNA from a banana.

Equipment:

1/2 peeled ripe banana, 1/2 cup water, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp liquid dishwashing soap, resealable zip-top bag, very cold rubbing alcohol, coffee filter, funnel, stirrer.

Method:

1. Mush the banana in the resealable bag for about a minute until all the lumps are gone.
2. Fill a cup with water and salt.
3. Pour the saltwater mix into the bag. Close the bag and very gently squeeze and move the saltwater and banana mush together. Do this for 30 to 45 seconds.
4. Add the dishwashing soap into the bag and gently mix the contents. Try to avoid making too much foam.
5. Place the coffee filter in a funnel.
6. Pour the mix into the filter and let it sit until all of the liquid drips down into the beaker.
7. Remove and discard the used coffee filter.
8. Tilt the glass and slowly add cold alcohol down the side of the cup. You want the alcohol to form a layer on top of the banana mix, staying separated, so be careful not to pour it too fast. Make a layer of alcohol that is 2.5-5cm (1-2in) thick.
9. After the alcohol layer is set up, wait for eight minutes. You may see some bubbles and cloudy material moving around in the alcohol. This is the DNA pieces clumping together.
10. Use the wooden stirrer to start poking the cloudy stuff in the alcohol layer. Spin the stirrer it in place to start gathering the cloudy stuff. When you are done, take a closer look at the stuff on the stirrer. You are looking at DNA!

Method source: https://askabiologist.asu.edu/activities/banana-dna 

Results: