The National Student Research Center

E-Journal of Student Research: Science

Volume 4, Number 7, May, 1996

John I. Swang, Ph.D.

Founder/Director

National Student Research Center

2024 Livingston Street

Mandeville, Louisiana 70448

U.S.A.

E-Mail: nsrcmms@communique.net

http://youth.net/nsrc/nsrc.html

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. The Conduction Of Heat In Metals
2. Does Heat Affect The Viscosity of Liquids?
3. Does Temperature Affect The pH Of Liquids?

TITLE:  The Conduction Of Heat In Metals  

STUDENT RESEARCHER:  Gordon Spring   
SCHOOL:  Mandeville Middle School
         Mandeville, Louisiana  
GRADE:  6
TEACHER:  John I. Swang, Ph.D.  


I.  STATEMENT OF PURPOSE AND HYPOTHESIS:

I would like to do a scientific research project on the ability 
of different metals to conduct heat.  My hypothesis states that 
aluminum will be the most efficient conductor of heat.

II.  METHODOLOGY:

The first thing I did was decide on a topics and then I wrote 
our statement of purpose.  Next, I reviewed the literature on 
metals, heat, conduction, convection, temperature, and transfer 
of heat.  Following that, I developed my hypothesis and a 
methodology to test my hypothesis.  After that I compiled my 
list of materials.

Then I took three metal rods (aluminum, iron, copper) 10 cm 
long and supported each one of them by a clothes pin.  Then I 
placed a 1 cm., in diameter, ball of wax on the end of each of 
the metal rods.  I also got a candle and lit it.  Then I 
applied the heat to the opposite end of the rods, recording the 
amount of time it took for the heat to transfer through the 
metal rod and melt the wax to make it fall off.  I used a stop 
watch to measure the time.  I repeated this procedure three 
times for each metal rod.

My manipulated variable was the different metals.  The 
responding variable was the rate at which heat was conducted 
through the metal.  My controlled variables were the lengths of 
the metal rods, 10 cm., and the gauge of the metal rods, 6.35 
mm.  The size of the clothespin, kind and size of wax ball, and 
the size of the candle were also controlled.    

During the above, I recorded information and later conducted an 
analysis of the data I recorded on my data collection sheet.  
Then I wrote a summary and conclusion where I accepted or 
rejected my hypothesis.  After that I applied my findings to 
the world outside the classroom.  Finally, I wrote an abstract 
of my research and then published my work.
 
III.  ANALYSIS OF DATA:

Copper conducted heat at an average rate of one centimeter per 
6.9 seconds.  In the first trial, it transferred heat at a rate 
of one centimeter per 6.7 seconds.  In the second and third 
trials, heat was conducted at a rate of one centimeter per 6.9 
and 7.2 seconds.

Aluminum is the second fastest conductor of heat.  It conducted 
heat at an average of one centimeter per seven seconds.  In the 
first, second, and third trial it transferred heat at a rate of 
one centimeter per 7.6, 7.2, and 6.3 seconds.

The slowest conductor of heat was iron.  It transferred heat at 
a rate of one centimeter per 17.9, 19.2, and 19 seconds for an 
average of one centimeter per 18.7 seconds.

IV.  SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION:

In summary, copper conducted heat the fastest at an average 
rate of one centimeter per 6.9 seconds.  This rate was faster 
than for aluminum and iron.  Therefore, I reject my hypothesis 
which states that aluminum would be the most efficient 
conductor of heat.  Aluminum conducted heat at an average rate 
of one centimeter per seven seconds. 

V.  APPLICATION:

I can apply my findings to the world outside the classroom by 
sending my data and information to contractors and architects 
to enable them to build better heating systems for buildings 
using materials that conduct heat more efficiently.



TITLE:  Does Heat Affect The Viscosity of Liquids?

STUDENT RESEARCHER:  Graham Rees and Sarah Szpak
SCHOOL:  Mandeville Middle School
         Mandeville, Louisiana
GRADE:  6
TEACHER:  John I. Swang, Ph.D.


I.  STATEMENT OF PURPOSE AND HYPOTHESIS:

We would like to do an experimental research project concerning 
the effect of temperature on the viscosity of liquids.  Our 
hypothesis states that when liquids are heated to 45 degrees 
Celsius they will have a lower viscosity than at a room 
temperature of 25 degrees Celsius.

II.  METHODOLOGY:

First, we wrote our statement of purpose and reviewed the 
literature on viscosity, heat, density, Brownian Motion, and 
kinetic theory.  Second, we developed our hypothesis and a 
methodology to test our hypothesis.  Next, we listed our 
materials and made our observation and data collection form.  

Then we began our experiment by pouring each liquid, at a room 
temperature of 25 degrees Celsius, into a transparent graduated 
cylinder.  We used 250 cm3    of each liquid.  Next, we dropped 
a marble from the top of the cylinder into each liquid and 
timed how long it took to get to the bottom.  We did this three 
times each for eight different liquids.  

Next, we heated 250 cm3  of each liquid in the microwave until 
they reached 45 degrees Celsius.  Then we poured the liquid 
into the graduated cylinder.  Then we dropped the same marble 
from the same place and timed how long it took to get to the 
bottom again.  We did this three times for each of the eight 
liquids.

Our manipulated variables were the type of liquids used and the 
temperature of the liquids.  Our responding variable was the 
time it took for the marble to get to the bottom of the 
cylinder.  Our controlled variables were the size of the 
marble, the timer, the cylinder, the same hot and room 
temperature of each liquid, the thermometer, and the same heat 
source.                    

There were two sets of data, one from each student researcher.  
After we combined the data, we analyzed it.  Then we wrote our 
summary and conclusion where we accepted or rejected our 
hypothesis.  Finally, we applied our findings to the world 
outside of the classroom.    

III.  ANALYSIS OF DATA:

We found out that, on average, liquid soap had the greatest 
viscosity.  When the liquid was at room temperature it took the 
marble an average of 30.16 seconds to reach the bottom of the 
cylinder.  When heated it took 8 seconds for the marble to 
reach the bottom.  

Syrup had the second greatest viscosity.  When it was at room 
temperature it took the marble an average of 27.6 seconds to 
reach the bottom.  When the syrup was heated it took the marble 
an average of 5.16 seconds to reach the bottom of the cylinder.  

Glycerin was the next most viscous liquid.  At room temperature 
it took the marble an average of 8.83 seconds to reach the 
bottom of the cylinder.  When the glycerin was heated it took 
an average of 2.16 seconds to reach the bottom of the cylinder.

Cooking oil was the fourth most viscous liquid.  When it was at 
room temperature it took the marble an average of 1.6 seconds 
to reach the bottom of the graduated cylinder.  It took the 
same amount of time to reach the bottom when heated.

Orange juice was the fifth most viscous liquid.  When it was at 
room temperature it took the marble an average of 1.6 seconds 
to reach the bottom of the graduated cylinder.  When the orange 
juice was heated it took the marble an average of 1 second to 
reach the bottom of the cylinder.

Vinegar, water, and salt water all took the same amount of time 
to reach the bottom of the graduated cylinder.  When they were 
at room temperature it took the marble an average of 1 second 
to reach the bottom of the cylinder.  It took the same amount 
of time to reach the bottom when heated. 

IV.  SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION:

We found out that 5 of the liquid's viscosity changed once they 
were heated. One of the liquid's that changed was glycerin.  It 
went from 8.83 seconds when heated to 2.16 seconds when not 
heated.  Liquid soap went from 30.16 seconds when heated to 8 
seconds when not heated.  Syrup went from 27.6 seconds when 
heated to 5.16 seconds when not heated.  Orange juice went from 
1.6 seconds to 1 second when heated.  The three other liquids 
did not change because their viscosity was as low as it could 
be when they were at room temperature and when heated.  
Therefore, we accept our hypothesis which stated that when the 
liquids were heated to 45 degrees Celsius they will have a 
lower viscosity than at room temperature (25 degrees).

V.  APPLICATION:

We can apply our findings to the world outside of the classroom 
by explaining to scientists and chefs that heating their non-
flammable liquids will make them easier to pour into containers 
or graduated cylinders.  



TITLE:  Does Temperature Affect The pH Of Liquids?

STUDENT RESEARCHERS:  Colby Omner & Krysta Ferguson
SCHOOL:  Mandeville Middle School
         Mandeville, Louisiana
GRADE:  6
TEACHER:  John I. Swang, Ph.D.


I.  STATEMENT OF PURPOSE AND HYPOTHESIS:

We would like to do a scientific research project concerning 
the effect of temperature on the pH of liquids.  Our hypothesis 
states that temperature will not have an effect on the pH of 
liquids.

II.  METHODOLOGY:

First, we wrote our statement of purpose and reviewed the 
literature.  Our review of literature was on acids and bases, 
pH, temperature, and neutralization.  Second, we wrote our 
hypothesis, identified our variables, and wrote our methodology 
to test the hypothesis.

Our manipulated variable was the different temperatures of the 
liquids.  Our controlled variables were the amount of liquid in 
each cup, the type of pH paper, and the room temperature, cold 
temperature, and hot temperature for all tests.  Our responding 
variable was the change, if any, in pH of the liquids.

We tested two acids which were lemon juice and vinegar, two 
bases which were baking soda dissolved in water and liquid 
soap, and two neutral liquids which were tap water and 
distilled water.

Next, we made our data collection form and we began our 
experiment.  We began our experiment by pouring each of the six 
liquids into a separate measuring cup that held 264 mL (1 cup).  
We set the six liquids out over night and measured their pH the 
next day when the liquids were at a room temperature of 25 
degrees Celsius.  

Then we put the same liquids in the refrigerator over night and 
measured the pH the next day.  The liquids were at a 
temperature of 5 degrees Celsius.  

Next, we took the same liquids and set them out on the counter 
over night so they could be at room temperature the next day.  
The next day we heated the liquids in a microwave to a 
temperature of 45 degrees Celsius and measured the pH.  

We looked for any change in the pH and recorded it on our data 
collection form.  We repeated this entire process two more 
times.
  
We recorded our findings on two data collection forms and then 
combined the data.  Next, we analyzed our data and wrote our 
summary and conclusion.  Last, we applied our findings to the 
world outside the classroom.

III.  ANALYSIS OF DATA:

In our first trial, the acidic liquids, which were lemon juice 
and vinegar, stayed acidic, the basic liquids, which were Alka-
Seltzer and liquid soap, stayed basic, and the neutral liquids, 
which were tap water and distilled water, stayed neutral.  
There was some slight fluctuation in the measure of pH due to 
the interpretation of the color on the strip of pH paper.

In trial two, we observed the same results as in trial one for 
all liquids.  There was also some fluctuating in the pH due to 
the subjective interpretation of the color on the pH paper 
strip.  

When we combined our data we found out that there was basically 
no change in the pH of the liquids when heated.

IV.  SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION:

From our data, we found out that the pH of acidic, basic, and 
neutral liquids all stayed the same when we changed the 
temperature of the liquid.   Therefore, we accepted our 
hypothesis which stated that temperature would not have an 
effect on the pH of liquids.

V.  APPLICATION:

We could apply our findings to the world outside the classroom 
by telling environmental scientists that the temperature of the 
air outside does not affect the acidity of bodies of water 
polluted by acid rain.  They would know that acidic conditions 
of colder bodies of water in the north and warmer bodies of 
water in the south would be affected the same by acid rain.

© 1996 John I. Swang, Ph.D.