Everyday Chemistry Investigation Projects
Research the Science of Normal Life using Scientific Method
May 18, 2009
Many everyday life objects and activities involve simple chemistry that can be subjected to scientific investigation. This article suggests a few experiments that can be adapted to become full investigations using the scientific skills tested at many High Schools around the world.
Scientific Method
To undertake a useful scientific investigation, it is important to follow what is known as the scientific method. Simply put, this involves making observations about a phenomenon, followed by formulating a hypothesis, which is a statement that predicts what will happen if something is done to the phenomenon. Then, experiments must be designed which test this hypothesis, in which it is important to have a quantity which can be measured to be able to compare results. Finally the hypothesis is rejected or accepted.
Bouncing Polymer Balls
A simple bouncing ball can be made by mixing a solution of half a teaspoon of Borax in two tablespoons of warm water with white PVA glue. The consistency of the mixture can be altered by adding small quantities of corn starch or glycerol. An investigation can be made into the properties of balls made with differing proportions of Borax solution, glue, starch and glycerol. Measurable quantities include the height to which the ball bounces when dropped from a fixed point, or the amount of force needed to stretch or break the mixture.
Water Hardness
The hardness of water depends on the amount of inorganic ions which are dissolved in it. Pure water is soft because it has no ions, but water from an area where the rock is chalk or limestone, then it will be hard because of the calcium and carbonate ions dissolved in it. An investigation into the hardness of a variety of water sample can be done using a solution of detergent because harder water increases the amount of detergent required to form a foam. Constant quantities of water should be used, as well as a constant concentration of detergent. Small quantities of detergent should be added to the water sample and then shaken vigorously, until a permanent foam is observed. The sample which requires most detergent solution is the hardest.
Energy in Food
Different types of food snacks contain different amounts of energy. If similar quantities of different snacks like peanuts, potato crisps (chips), biscuits (cookies) etc. are burnt and used to raise the temperature of a constant amount of water, then an idea of the relative quantity of energy contained in that snack can be obtained. It is better to weigh the piece of food before and after increasing the temperature of the water by a fixed number of degrees, because it is very unlikely that the whole sample will be completely burned. There are several limitations to this experiment, which can be pointed out in the write-up to the investigation, including the loss of heat to the surroundings.
This is just a small sample of everyday chemistry that can be investigated in a simple but scientific way. Science is simply observation and experimentation – everyone can do it!
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