Wednesday 22 June 2011

Results at last

1 cm (first, second and third attempts)
2cm (first, second, third attempts)
3cm (first, second, third attempts)


After conducting the experiment once again, it is finally done! Here's a short video of the process. The video shows the balloon placed near the tap at a distance of 1cm, 2cm and 3cm respectively. The experiment is then conducted again for another two times.


The water "bending" experiment
“Bending” water using static electricity

Research question: Does the distance between the stream of water and the balloon affect the degree of ”bend” of the water?

Materials: Water faucet, balloon, balloon pump, protractor, ruler, camera, scale, metronome 

Hypothesis: The closer the balloon is to the stream of water, the larger the degree of ‘bend’ of the water. 

Variables:
Dependent: Degree of ‘bend’ of the water

Independent: Distance between the stream of water and the balloon

Constant: Size of the stream of water, size of the balloon, amount of static electricity produced, material of the balloon, amount of air pumped into the balloon, speed of metronome, number of times balloon is rubbed against hair, 


Experiment procedure:
1. Make a scale and place it behind the water faucet (Ensure that the stream of water is flowing straight along the line drawn on the scale)
2. Place a small distance scale on top of the tap to roughly estimate the distance 
3. Use the balloon pump to pump up the balloon (about 10 pumps)
4. Rub the balloon against your hair (about 50 times)
5. Use a metronome to ensure constant speed (150 BPM) 
6. On the water faucet
7. Place the balloon near the faucet (about 1cm)
8. Take a video of the process
9. Repeat steps 3-8 at distance of 2cm and 3cm
10. Repeat the experiment again for another two times
11. Use the online protractor tool to measure the degree of the 'bend' in the stream of water
12. Tabulate the results for easy reference


Results: 

Degree of ‘bend’ of the water stream 

Distance between balloon and the stream of water
1st attempt
2nd attempt
3rd attempt
Average
1cm
5.79°
5.11°
3.05°
4.65°
2cm
3.36°
3.22°
2.64°
3.07°
3cm
2.87°
1.74°
0.79°
1.80°




















Data analysis:
Original Hypothesis: The closer the balloon is to the stream of water, the larger the degree of ‘bend’ of water.

From the background research conducted, it is proven that water can indeed ‘bend’ under the influence of static electricity. However, there is no mention about whether or not the distance between the stream of water and the charged object will affect the degree of ‘bend’.

By collecting the data of the results, the hypothesis can be proven. Figure 1 in the results column above shows the average degree of ‘bend’ of the stream of water when the balloon is placed at three different distances away from the stream as a down-sloping graph. The stream of water ‘bends’ at an average angle of 4.65° the balloon is placed at a distance of 1cm away from it and at an average angle of 1.80° when placed at a distance of 3cm away from the stream. There is an obvious decrease in the degree of ‘bend’ when the balloon is placed at 1cm, 2cm and 3cm respectively. A simple interpretation of the graph would be that degree of ‘bend’ of the water increases when the distance between the stream of water and the balloon decreases, proving the hypothesis correct. 

By relating it back to the main research question does the strength of attraction between the negative charges on the balloon and positive charges in the stream of water affect the degree of ‘bend’ of the stream of water, the results proved that distance, one of the variables affecting the strength of attraction, affects the degree of ‘bend’ of the stream of water, providing 50% of the evidence needed to prove the main hypothesis correct.  

Conclusion: The closer the balloon is to the stream of water, the larger the degree of the 'bend' of water.

Water stream from kitchen

VIDEO: 
This is the short video of the experiment conducted with the kitchen tap.
This is the experimental set up for the kitchen tap. The scale is placed behind the stream of water and the stream of water is alined to the middle line. 

Water voltage test:
Materials: water from shower, voltmeter, crocodile clips, copper sticks, a beaker

Variables: 
Dependent: Voltage of the water


Constant: Distance sticks are placed away from each other, same amount of water used, same type of beaker used, same type of cooper sticks used, same type of voltmeter

Experiment procedure: 
1. Pour 500ml of water from the kitchen tap into a beaker
2. Connect the voltmeter and the two cooper sticks with the crocodile clips



3. Place the two cooper sticks into the beaker of water
4. Ensure that the sticks are placed at equal distance away from each other
5. Note the voltage of the water from the voltmeter
6. Repeat the experiment two more times
7. Tabulate the results for easy reference

Results:




Kitchen
Voltage of water
1st attempt
2nd attempt
3rd attempt
average
1.4V
 1.0V
0.8V 
1.07V








Materials: Water faucet, balloon, balloon pump, protractor, ruler, camera, scale, metronome 



Hypothesis: There should be a 'bend' seen in the stream of water due to the water's voltage.  

Variables:
Dependent: Degree of ‘bend’ of the water

Independent: Distance between the stream of water and the balloon

Constant: Size of the stream of water, size of the balloon, amount of static electricity produced, material of the balloon, amount of air pumped into the balloon, speed of metronome, number of times balloon is rubbed against hair, 



Experiment procedure:
1. Make a scale and place it behind the water faucet (Ensure that the stream of water is flowing straight along the line drawn on the scale)
2. Place a small distance scale on top of the tap, to roughly estimate the distance
3. Use the balloon pump to pump up the balloon (about 10 pumps)
4. Rub the balloon against your hair (about 50 times)
5. Use a metronome to ensure constant speed (150 BPM) 
6. On the water faucet
7. Place the balloon near the faucet (about 1cm)
8. Take a video of the process
9. Repeat the experiment again for about 2 times 
10. Use the online protractor tool to measure the degree of the 'bend' 
11. Tabulate the results
Results:



Kitchen
Degree of ‘bend’ of the stream of water
1st attempt
2nd attempt
3rd attempt
average
5.79°
5.11°
3.05°
4.65°

Conclusion: There is a bend seen in the stream of water when the charged balloon is placed near the stream of water.

Tuesday 21 June 2011

Water Stream from Shower

VIDEO: 
This is a short video of the experiment conducted with the shower tap. 

This is the experimental setup for the shower tap. The scale is placed behind the tap and the stream of water is aline to the middle line of the scale. 
Water voltage test:
Materials: water from shower, voltmeter, crocodile clips, copper sticks, a beaker

Variables: 





Dependent: Voltage of the water
Constant: Distance sticks are placed away from each other, same amount of water used, same type of beaker used, same type of cooper sticks used, same type of voltmeter used

Experiment procedure: 
1. Pour 500ml of water from the shower tap into a beaker
2. Connect the voltmeter and the two cooper sticks with the crocodile clips



3. Place the two cooper sticks into the beaker of water
4. Ensure that the sticks are placed at equal distance away from each other
5. Note the voltage of the water from the voltmeter
6. Repeat the experiment two more times
7. Tabulate the results for easy reference
Results:




Shower
Voltage of water
1st attempt
2nd attempt
3rd attempt
average
0.4V
0.55V
0.6V
0.52V






Materials: Water faucet, balloon, balloon pump, protractor, ruler, camera, scale, metronome 

Hypothesis: There should be no 'bend' seen in the stream of water due to the water's voltage.  

Variables:
Dependent: Degree of ‘bend’ of the water
Independent: Distance between the stream of water and the balloon
Constant: Size of the stream of water, size of the balloon, amount of static electricity produced, material of the balloon, amount of air pumped into the balloon, speed of metronome, number of times balloon is rubbed against hair

Experiment procedure:
1. Make a scale and place it behind the water faucet (Ensure that the stream of water is flowing straight along the line drawn on the scale)
2. Place a small distance scale on top of the tap, to roughly estimate the distance
3. Use the balloon pump to pump up the balloon (about 10 pumps)
4. Rub the balloon against your hair (about 50 times)
5. Use a metronome to ensure constant speed (150 BPM) 
6. On the water faucet
7. Place the balloon near the faucet (about 1cm)
8. Take a video of the process
9. Repeat the experiment again for about 2 times 
10. Use the online protractor tool to measure the degree of the 'bend' 
11. Tabulate the results
Results:

Shower
Degree of ‘bend’ of the stream of water
1st attempt
2nd attempt
3rd attempt
average
nil
nil
nil
nil

Conclusion: There is no bend seen in the stream of water when the charged balloon is placed near the stream of water.

Monday 20 June 2011

Water Stream from Balcony

VIDEO: 

This is the experiment set up for the balcony tap. The scale is placed behind the tap and the stream of water is aline to the middle line on the scale.

Water voltage test:
Materials: Water from balcony, voltmeter, crocodile clips, copper sticks, a beaker
Variables: 
Dependent: Voltage of the water
Constant: Distance sticks are placed away from each other, same amount of water used, same type of cooper sticks used, type of voltmeter used
Experiment procedure: 
1. Pour 500ml of water from the balcony into a beaker
2. Connect the voltmeter and the two cooper sticks with the crocodile clips

3. Place the two cooper sticks into the beaker of water
4. Ensure that the sticks are placed at equal distance away from each other
5. Note the voltage of the water from the voltmeter
6. Repeat the experiment two more times
7. Tabulate the results for easy reference
Results:



Balcony
Voltage of water
1st attempt
2nd attempt
3rd attempt
average
0.2V
0.15V
0.34V
0.23V
 
Materials: Water faucet, balloon, balloon pump, protractor, ruler, camera, scale, metronome 

Hypothesis: There should be no 'bend' seen in the stream of water due to the water's voltage.  

Variables:
Dependent: Degree of ‘bend’ of the water

Independent: Distance between the stream of water and the balloon

Constant: Size of the stream of water, size of the balloon, amount of static electricity produced, material of the balloon, amount of air pumped into the balloon, speed of metronome, number of times balloon is rubbed against hair


Experiment procedure:
1. Make a scale and place it behind the water faucet (Ensure that the stream of water is flowing straight along the line drawn on the scale)
2. Place a small distance scale on top of the tap, to roughly estimate the distance
3. Use the balloon pump to pump up the balloon (about 10 pumps)
4. Rub the balloon against your hair (about 50 times)
5. Use a metronome to ensure constant speed (150 BPM) 
6. On the water faucet
7. Place the balloon near the faucet (about 1cm)
8. Take a video of the process
9. Repeat the experiment again for about 2 times 
10. Use the online protractor tool to measure the degree of the 'bend' 
11. Tabulate the results

After conducting the experiment, I took a video of the process.
Results:

Balcony
Degree of ‘bend’ of the stream of water
1st attempt
2nd attempt
3rd attempt
average
nil
nil
nil
nil

Conclusion: There is no bend seen in the stream of water when the charged balloon is placed near the stream of water.