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Introduction

An experiment to study flow banding lava Apparatus Syrup - To simulate the flow of lava Sugar strands - To simulate logs, tree branches, rocks etc Board - To simulate the volcano slope Clamp - To hold the board Spoon - To transport the syrup from the pot to the board Stand - To hold up the clamp Protractor - To measure the angle of the board Pencil - To mark where the syrup reached Hot water - To clean the syrup Paper towel - To wipe up the syrup Newspaper - To cover up tables in case syrup gets onto the table Stop Clock - To measure the time Diagram Plan 1. ...read more.

Middle

6. Start the stop clock when all the syrup is on the board and mark where the syrup started. 7. Let the syrup descend down the board for four minutes 8. Take a photograph or sketch a picture of the finished experiment. Fair Test I will make this experiment fair by using a stop clock to measure the time. I will keep the board at the same angle. The board will be cleaned before it is used for the experiment. Safety I will keep this a safe experiment by following the standard lab rules, I will be careful when cleaning the board with hot water and wiping up any syrup dropped or spilled. ...read more.

Conclusion

However not all of the sugar strands pointed in the direction of the flow (which are pointed in the photograph below), I think this is because the syrup only descended down the board slowly, whereas in a real lava flow the lava would be travelling at a much greater speed. Evaluation The results of this experiment are all accurate and reliable because the experiment went as it should have done. I think that this experiment could have been improved by using more sugar strands for a better result, raising the temperature of the syrup to speed up the flow to get more results. I could have taken this experiment further by changing the gradient of the board and using the syrup at different temperatures. ...read more.

This student written piece of work is one of many that can be found in our AS and A Level Rocks & Weathering section.