Chemistry projects can make for some explosively fun results.
Physics, chemistry, biology, Earth sciences, geography and geology are among the fascinating venues where high school students begin their journey into science. Students who undertake study in any of these fields, either in the pure sciences (physics, chemistry or biology) or the combined fields, have the opportunity to create compelling projects with simple principles.
Liquid Bean Growth
Using the same type of bean, find out which liquid is best its growth.
This biology project explores which liquids are best for plant growth. Put six to eight ounces of the following liquids into cups: orange juice, plain water, sugared water, milk, and water with a bit of fertilizer. Make sure each cup is labeled. Place four or five beans into each cup. Record what the beans look like in each cup daily, including the first day the bean's shell breaks and the number of days for each bean to break its shell in each liquid. From there, determine which liquid was the best for growth based on your observations.
Identify Best Insulator
Is Styrofoam the best insulator for a drink?
This physics experiment evaluates which materials act as the best insulator. In an 8 oz. cups made from Styrofoam, glass, plastic, ceramic and metal, pour 6 oz. of water (make sure they are all equally warm). Then, put a thermometer into each cup to measure the temperature. Record the initial temperatures and continue to do so at 15-minute intervals for a period of several hours. From your notes, identify which cup lost heat at the slowest rate and which lost heat at the fastest rate.
Copper Coating
Copper plate an iron nail using vinegar, ammonia and pennies.
This experiment demonstrates the reaction between ammonia, copper, vinegar and iron. Do this experiment in a well-ventilated room. Take 20 to 25 copper pennies and pour a small amount of ammonia onto each, ensuring every one is coated. In a large glass jar, pour 1 cup of vinegar into it and stir in a 1/2 tsp. of salt until it dissolves. Put the 25 pennies into the jar filled with the liquid and watch as all of the green on the copper disappears. Once all the green is gone, put an iron nail into the jar. Make sure the iron nail was completely cleaned with steel wool. Then, after eight to 12 hours, the nail will have a copper coating, also known as copper plating.
Light Bending
Bend light using a flashlight and empty soda can.
All that's needed for this simple science project is a flashlight with a strong light bulb and an empty soda can. Poke a hole in the side of the can near the bottom, about the diameter of a pencil. Make sure the hole does not have any ragged edges then push your finger through it. Then, with your finger plugging the hole, fill the can with water from the top. Turn off any lights in the room and stand over a sink. Put the flashlight over top the can then remove your finger from it. Where the water stream falls there will be a beam of light. This is because the light from the flashlight bends following the water out of the can. The water imitates mirrors in reflecting the light. The light bounces around inside the can before making its way out, following the water stream.
Tags: iron nail, Make sure, your finger, best growth, best insulator, chemistry biology