Re-uploaded, Renewed Bubblus Mind Maps

The completed mind map on the ideas I had for experiments. Click to enlarge.

The completed mind map on the chosen experiment. Click to enlarge.

Doubts and Indecision

For a while I've been having some doubts and indecision about the topic of my science research project. Yesterday, I started looking up alternative ideas. I tried searching for projects which only required equipment found in every day homes. This is some ideas that I found that I'm interested in:

• Does the temperature of candles affect it's burning time?
• Does the quality of soap affect the time it takes before bubbles pop?
• Does colour affect the burning time of candles?
• Does the width of a candle affect it's burning time?
• What is the most effective way to keep a balloon from popping?

A lot of the ideas had something to do with candles because basically I found candles interesting and for that moment I wanted to do an experiment on candles. 

Today, after the science lesson, I asked sir whether or not the experiment on the width of candles would be okay. He approved of it and offered an alternative which was "whether the quality of candles will affect it's burning rate."

For some reason, after I asked my teacher, I felt like doing the experiment on the effect of salt on the boiling temperature of water again. I'm probably just going to do that. I already have all the information and method and such. It was probably just a moment of indecisiveness. I'm going to see if I have time to do the experiment today.

Third Week Mind Map

Only a few more ideas were added. Click to enlarge.

~ Third Week Project Report

After a long period of searching for an experiment, I think I've finally figured out what I'm going to do. This past week, I have continued looking for something that I could do my research project and after some consideration, I have decided to do this:

• What is the effect of salt on the boiling temperature of water?

I found this topic interesting and the experiment not that difficult to do. The equipment needed is not that difficult to obtain too, so that will make things simpler. 

For this topic, the aim of my experiment would be:

• Aim: To determine the effect of salt on the boiling temperature of water.

It's simple, and basically what I have to do is have a control, which is the temperature of the boiling water without salt, and then add an amount of salt into the water, boil it and then record the temperature. i'll have to repeat the experiment with different amounts of salt. That is roughly what will have to be done, but a lot of other things have to be researched and found out.

I still have to do some more thorough background research but from what I've read so far, my hypothesis will probably be:

• The higher the amount of salt put in, the higher the boiling temperature of the water.

I hope I can do this experiment. I still have to run it by my science teacher but I think it'll be fine. Whilst searching the internet, I came across other experiment ideas which I considered. They are quite similar to the one I'm doing. They are:

• What is the effect of salt and sugar on the freezing point of water?
• What is the effect of dissolved salt or sugar on the melting rate of ice?

I seriously considered them but chose to do the one on boiling water. I think they will probably be my back up plans - the ice one especially, because it's really simple and not time-consuming. 

My next science lesson is on Wednesday, so I'll talk to my teacher about it by then. I'll also have to ask if I can borrow a thermometer because besides that, I think I have all the equipment at home. 

Second Week Mind Map

My  mind map with added ideas. Click to enlarge.

~ Second Week Project Report

I'm still trying to find an idea for a science experiment. I didn't think it would be this difficult. I'm trying to find an experiment that I'll be interested in but is not too time-consuming. I've looked through various websites and the experiments that have interested me are:

• What is the effect of salt on the boiling time of water?
• Do lemons really have more sugar than oranges?
• In which citrus fruit is the Vitamin C content the highest?
• Does an ice cube melt faster in air or water?

I think that I'm leaning towards an experiment that has something to do with water or ice. I just find it more interesting. That's just my opinion at the moment - it might change the more I research. If all else fails, however, I might end up doing a plant experiment. Though I'll have to find a plant that grows extremely fast and the more time I spend choosing, the less likely I'll be able to carry out the experiment due to time restraints. I want to find an experiment to do as quickly as I can though.

First Week Mind Map

My current mind map of ideas. Click to enlarge.

~ First Week Project Report

There's a few ideas in my head on what to do for this project. I've been considering doing an experiment on the growth of plants, the freezing or boiling of water, the absorbancy of paper towels or the effect of caffeine on reaction time. I'm not really certain on what my experiment will be about just yet so I'm not ruling anything out. I know that when deciding on what to do, I have to take some things into consideration, such as not damaging the environment, involving explosions or poisonous or flammable substances and other stuff. With this experiment I also have to think about the variables, like what I would change and what I would keep the same.

Hopefully by next week, I'll have a topic for my experiment that's approved by my teacher.