Exploring physical properties of water (that have biological significance).

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Biology  Water

By: Tahira Jamani

Date: September 8th 2004

 

Investigation:  Exploring physical properties of water (that have biological significance)

Task: Design, then execute, a lab protocol to investigate water properties

Research question: Is water co-hesive/ ad-hesive?

Hypothesis:

        If we test water’s co-hesion and ad-hesion on various papers, it will vary. For example, if we place water on wax paper, it will not be absorbed and thus helps to prove that it is not very ad-hesive as it will stay in a ball and will easily roll off. Also, the water will be easily broken if we were to try separating it using a metal stick, and this will show weak co-hesive forces. However on the other hand, if we test toilet paper, the water will be absorbed more easily and thus helps to prove that it is more ad-hesive to the paper as it will not be able to roll off. Furthermore, the water will not be able to split, and this will show strong co-hesive forces. All in all, it can be said that the stronger the ad-hesion, the stronger the co-hesion, and vice versa. We are hoping to see the weight of all the various papers increase, which will indicate that they have absorbed water and thus imply that the ad-hesion is great.      

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Variables:

        Controlled variables:

  • Temperature (23o)
  • Amount of water on each paper (2 droplets)
  • Amount of paper used (6x6 cm)
  • Amount of time water is on the paper (1 minute)

Manipulated variables:

  • Types of paper
  • Wax
  • Regular
  • Paper towel
  • Cardboard
  • Toilet paper        

Responding variables:

  • Mass of the paper before and after water absorbed

Materials:

  • Wax paper
  • Regular paper
  • Tissue paper
  • Cardboard
  • Toilet paper
  • Stopwatch
  • Scale
  • Eye-dropper
  • Water
  • Beakers

Procedure:

  1. Measure and cut the different papers to 6x6 cm
  2. ...

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