BLOG ONE- DUE BY 11 MARCH

BLOG ONE- DUE BY 11 MARCH

(In this blog I will include 3 possible experiments I am able to perform for my SRP, how I will carry out the experiment and the variables)

SRP IDEA ONE- To investigate the effects of soil pH levels on the growth of Cilantro plants, to find out a good soil pH range.

How I will carry out the experiment: I will grow Cilantro plants in 4 different pots. The soil in the four pots will have different pH levels. I will achieve different soil pH levels by adding different amounts of acid, antacid and a mixture of acids and antacids into the soil. At assigned times I will measure the height of the Cilantro plants and take photos to assess the growth. I will analyse the measured data to draw conclusions.

Equipment needed: Pots, soil, acid (dilute sulphuric acid), antacid, pH measuring paper, ruler, camera

Variables: Independent- soil pH levels
Dependent- growth of the plants (height, no of leaves, colour etc)
Controlled- The environment. All of the plants will grow in the same area to ensure that the environmental factors such as light, temperature are same for all the four pots.


SRP IDEA TWO- Investigating the effects of certain variables on the evaporation of water from swimming pools.

How I will carry out the experiment: I will use four beakers to simulate the water quality in a pool. I will look at the effect of following on water evaporations:
· Chlorine content of the water
· Effect of liquid pool cover in water
· Effect of solid pool cover

I will store the four beakers in the same, one place. The beakers will have markings on them. At regular intervals I will measure the height of the water in the beakers to determine the evaporation and plot the data to compare the effects of above variables on water evaporation.

Equipment needed: 4 beakers, chlorine, liquid pool cover chemical, sample of solid pool cover, ruler, and camera

Variables: Independent- chlorine content of water, liquid pool cover chemical and solid pool cover.
Dependent: Water evaporation rate.
Controlled- The environment. All of the beakers simulating the pool water will be kept outdoors at the same place. This will ensure that the ‘mini pool’ water is exposed to identical temperature, wind condition, humidity etc as our normal outdoor pool.

SRP IDEA THREE- Examining the effects of different insulation types on the temperature inside the house.

How I will carry out the experiment: I will build 6 separate rooms using card board. The size of the rooms will be – 30 cm x30 cm x30 cm. I will use following materials to insulate five of six the rooms.
· Pink batts
· Polyester
· Fibre glass
· Blankets
· Aluminium foil

I will use a thermometer inside each of the rooms to determine temperature inside the rooms, and compare this to outside temperature. I will collect data for 2 weeks to compare the performance of various insulating materials.

Equipment needed: Card board boxes, thermometers, different insulating materials as stated in the above section.

Variables: Independent- insulation materials (pink batts, polyester, fibre glass, blankets, aluminium foil)
Dependent- Temperature inside each of the rooms
Controlled- Environment. All the cardboard boxes will be kept in the same place. This will ensure that they are exposed to the same temperature.

These are just a few ideas I have so far...
If I happen to change my mind I will "okay" it with you (Ms Zhang) :)

xoxo Mira