Science Fair 2015

               Chemistry Science Project

 

You are to choose from one of the following topics and develop your own project using the scientific method-

               Hypothesis, Materials, Procedure, Results, Conclusion

               Be sure to have a large sampling size (5-8) and perform each part 5-8 times (trials), (control vs variable)

 

Project: worth 100 points (test grade for 2^nd trimester)

               Must Include:     1) Poster board- most of this should be covered. Results, charts, graphs, and pictures of you doing the work; include pictures showing all the trials and samples.

                                             2) Your experiments (numerous trials)

                                             3) 3-5 page report on background or information related to your topic and a bibliography.

 

** Be sure to explain the chemistry involved in your project.

 

Projects to choose from:

               1) Sunscreen effectiveness

               2) Water testing (not bottled)

               3) Soil Testing

               4) Corrosion of metals

               5) Acid Rain

               6) Laundry detergent effectiveness

 

Begin Testing ASAP

You may work in groups of two as long as both students are taught by the same teacher. * However, the project will be due at the earliest date between the two students.*

 

You may be excused from a Science Fair Project if you are on Team A, B, or C of Science Olympiad and compete in events.

Avogadro's Number

As you learn in Chapter 3, Avogadro's number tells you how many atoms, or molecules, there are in 1 mole. The name for this number comes from the Italian physicists Amedeo Avogadro. He proposed the theory that 1 mole of a gas at a specific temperature and pressure has the same number of atoms as 1 mole of a different gas at the same temperature and pressure. This theory was proposed in 1811, but Amedeo Avogadro did not have the technology to determine exactly how many atoms made up 1 mole.




It was actually Jean Perrin who discovered the number in 1895. He showed his respects to Avogadro for coming up with the theory that propelled Perrin to make this discovery. Along with this, Perrin continued his work on atoms and received the Nobel Prize in 1926.

A Fly in the Cathedral

A short while ago, we had discussed the discovery of the nucleus along with the proton. Ernest Rutherford had used his famous Gold-Foil Experiment to come up with this massive breakthrough. In class, we discussed how the atom is made up of mostly empty space and the nucleus is very small in comparison to the rest of the atom. We used the analogy of a marble in Ott Field. This eventually led to the discussion of splitting the atom and the atomic bomb.

The book "A Fly In The Cathedral" is a true story about 20 years after Rutherford's Gold Foil experiment. It describes the race between John Cockcroft and Ernest Walton, other American Scientists and German Scientists to become the first group to split the atom and create the atomic bomb.

This is an interesting read for those who are interested in learning more about this time period and the Science behind it. The book can be found on Amazon.com for 1 cent plus shipping (total is around $4.00).

I would highly recommend this book to all students who have talked about Rutherford and his experiment and are interested in learning the aftershock of his experiments.


Here is the cover of the book: