Science Projects

Catapult Science Project

February 4, 2022 by ScienceProjects

Catapult Science Project

Objective

The make a Catapult Science Project using craft sticks

Materials

Eight craft sticks (popsicle sticks)
Four or five strong rubber bands
Glue
Cap of plastic bottle to hold the cotton ball
Cotton ball

Catapult Science Project Preparation

When using a cotton ball, the basic catapult suggested in this project is completely safe. To avoid harming someone or the objects around you, make sure any items you throw are soft and light.
Six craft sticks should be stacked on top of each other. Wrap rubber bands around both ends of the stack to keep the sticks together. As indicated in the following step, you will anchor the launching stick for this stack.
To attach the launching stick, take a stick and wrap it vertically around the middle of the stack you have made, forming a cross shape. One or two rubber bands crossed in an X on the sticks might be used for this. The sticks will be absolutely vertical if you cross them like mentioned above.
Attach the base by using a rubber band to attach a stick to one end of the launching stick. The launching stick would fall on top of the base if it weren’t for the stacks of sticks in the middle. Now, between the launching stick and the stack of sticks between the bases, construct a V shape.
Place your catapult on its base, find the sticking end of the launching stick, and glue the cap to the bottle, forming a little cup to contain the missile.
Now let the glue dry.

Procedure

Place your Catapult Science Project in a large open location with flat surfaces, such as a table or a hard floor.
Place a cotton ball in the launching cup, gently lower it, then release it.
Make a test: Place your cotton ball in the cup, push it down, then release it and inspect it. To complete your observations, you may need to repeat the experiment numerous times.
See what happens if you move a stack of six sticks closer or farther away from the launch cup. When the missile is in the air, this will adjust the location of the firing stick.
Make several catapults and compete with your pals in a game. As the objective, use the last bottle cap. Place the catapults in a circle 60 cm away from the cup and compete to see who can score the most goals.

Observations and results

When you bend your stick, you add energy to your launching stick. This energy is released and turned into kinetic energy when you let go. The majority of this energy is turned into missiles that are sent into the air. It takes more work than you think to push the stick down deeper. It’s possible that you’ll feel compelled to strive even harder to bend the stick. When you lean further, more elastic potential energy is stored in the rod, and when you let go, all of this potential energy is converted into kinetic energy, causing the missile to fly faster in the air. The rocket from your catapult is likely to fly high and far.

The launch stick is delayed by moving a stack of six sticks closer to the launching cup. As a result, a missile strikes the front instead of the back. When you push your six sticks in the other way, the launching stick and the base form a large angle. It assists you in propelling the projectile ahead.

Carbon Dioxide (CO2) and Global Warming

January 26, 2022 by ScienceProjects

Carbon Dioxide (CO2) and Global Warming

Abstract

The technology and the development of resources for human beings have given birth to potentially catastrophic Global Warming. The forests gave way to industrialization; fossil fuel burning on a massive scale caused the emission of carbon dioxide (CO2) on a larger perspective. This experiment is to determine the effect of carbon dioxide on the environment and temperature changes.

Theory

The project experiment will prove that ‘Unwarranted high temperatures relate to higher carbon dioxide content in the air.

Objective

Carbon dioxide (CO2) emits from vehicles and industries when fuel burns. The carbon content present in the emission reacts to produce CO2. Carbon molecules absorb Earth’s heat energy. These molecules do not hold heat for long and release it into the atmosphere. More CO2 produced and released into the atmosphere is dangerous for our ecosystem.

Deforestation is worrisome as the plants absorb substantial CO2 during photosynthesis. Sea also absorbs some CO2, but the rest is released into the atmosphere. The past century has seen a substantial rise in global temperature.

The objective of the experiment is to prove that CO2 emission raises the significant atmospheric temperature.

Experiment Procedure

Required Materials- 3 luminescent lamps, 3 fish tanks with airtight covers and a small 15-20mm diameter hole, 15-20 mm in diameter300 mm rubber hose & 1-meter long rubber hose, 1 airtight plastic bag, 1 infrared thermometer, stopwatch, masking tape, 3 kg of black-colored soil, A vehicle, and a helping hand.

Variables

Independent variable- CO2 Concentration by air is blown from lungs or smoke from car exhaust.
Dependent variable- The temperature of the air in the tank, measured by an infrared thermometer.
Constants variables- the Initial temperature of the air in the tanks, quantity of soil in the base of the tanks, and volume of the tanks.

Process

The three water tanks were filled with a layer of black soil about 20mm thick.

First tank- A cover placed and sealed with masking tape too. It contains normal air.
The second tank- Filled with human lungs air, blown through a rubber hose into the gap in the tank then cover sealed with the masking tape.
The third tank- Fill car emissions in the tank through a hosepipe and seal cover.
Place 3-lamps above the tanks 1 meter above and leave there until the temperature inside reaches 32°c. Switch off the lamps and record temperature inside after every 10 minutes for one hour.
The CO2 concentration of human lungs is 4% and car’ exhausts around 12%. Overall, the air around us has about 0.038% carbon dioxide.

Observation

1. Normal Air in the first tank- CO2: 0.038%- Temperature after 1-hour drops to 25.5°c from 32°c.
2. Air from Lungs- CO2 4%- Temperature after 1-hour drops to 27.8° from 32°c.
3. Car exhaust- CO2 12% -Temperature after 1-hour drops to 29.9° from 32°c.

Conclusion

The first tank with the normal air cools down the quickest and the third tank of air from the car exhaust cools down the slowest. This proves carbon plays a huge role in raising the atmospheric temperature and global warming in a larger perspective.

Effects of Acid Rain on Buildings

January 25, 2022 by ScienceProjects

Effects of Acid Rain on Buildings

Abstract

In this post, we will see the Effects of Acid Rain. Acid rain is the rain that becomes acidic due to water vapors reacting with other pollutants like nitrogen and sulfur present in our atmosphere. Acid rains are huge threats to the ecosystem and environment. In addition, these cause serious damages to the buildings and monuments the world over.

Overview

Building materials like Limestone and marbles are susceptible to damage by acid rain. These two comprise a component called calcite that easily dissolves in acid. Acid rains cause heavy damage to the concrete surfaces and paint finishes on building surfaces.

Conduct this science project to understand, which building materials are prone to acid rain damage. Use marble, limestone, granite, and bricks to carry out this project.

Effects of Acid Rain Theory

Limestone is susceptible to most damages from the acid rain between marble, Limestone, granite, and bricks.

Procedure for the Experiment

Required Materials

The materials required for this science fair project experiment: –

100 grams each of marble, brick, granite, and Limestone.
1-digital weighing scale
4-beakers, 1600ml of vinegar
1 measuring cylinder, 1 piece of cloth, 1 sandpaper, hammer, and chisel

Procedure

Independent Variable– Construction material for testing marble, limestone, brick, and granite.
Dependent Variable– The weight measurement of the residual construction material after a few days.
Constant Variable– The amount of vinegar used and its acidity, the preliminary weight of the construction material, duration of the science experiment.

All four materials marble, limestone, brick, and granite should be 100 gm each and clean for the Effects of Acid Rain experiment. Use hammer, chisel, and sandpaper if weight is more than the requirement. Record the weight before you begin.
Measure 400ml vinegar in the measuring cylinder and pour them into 4-separate beakers where materials are placed for testing. Vinegar is used here as a replica of acid rains.
For consecutive four days, take out the materials from the beakers and wipe them clean to take their weights on the digital scale and record them.

Observation

In the Effects of Acid Rain experiment, the weight observed on the different materials after dipping them individually in vinegar for four days is as below. The weight remains now of the initial weight of100 g each, and the rest dissolved in vinegar.

Marble – 26g
Granite- 96g
Brick- 76g
Limestone- 11g

Observation

Observed that the limestone and marble lost most quantity in weight. The brick lost relatively lesser of its actual weight by 24% and the granite dissolved the least.
The technology has helped modern homes and buildings to acquire materials resistant to acid rain. However, acid rains still affect them in a big way.

The steel rods corrode when exposed to acid rains.
Bricks start to disintegrate in the acid rain even the special fabric called silica that holds the material. Thus, bricks become weak and brittle, causing bricks walls to collapse, as seen in many cases.

Conclusion

The belief that limestone faces the biggest damage from acid rain is true. This causes huge damages every year and costs millions that go to waste. This weakens steel structures, bridges, buildings, and historical monuments. This is alarming and needs due care and the use of the right materials.

The Moon and Tides Science Fair Project

January 25, 2022 by ScienceProjects

The Moon and Tides

Abstract

The high and low tides or Moon and Tides were one of the secrets of Mother Nature. That mystery was solved after the gravity theory of Sir Isaac Newton in the 17th century came out. Have you ever wondered what causes the tides in Earth’s oceans?

Observation

In this astronomy project or Moon and Tides science fair project, the experiment discovers the answer for moon and tides relation. This will help investigate and understand how the Sun and Moon control tides in Earth’s oceans.

Theory– Gravity is what pulls the ocean’s waters to create the two high tides and two low tides that the moon’s gravity causes. Gravitational force depends on both mass and distance, although the sun is bigger, the moon is closer to Earth has more gravitational pull.

The experiment helps to understand the concept.

Terms used

Springtide—the tide during a new and full moon.
Neap tide—Refers to a period of moderate tides

Procedure

Materials- Scissors, colored construction paper yellow, blue, green, and grey or white are good colors, Glue, marker pen.

Cut out construction paper to make Sun, Earth, and Moon.
Cut an oval out of blue construction paper, and then trim off the two sides to make a circle. Save the trimmed crescent shapes for later use to demonstrate the springtides.
Cut out a few smaller shavings to represent neap tides.
Cut out continents in green construction paper to understand clearly, and then glue them to the Earth.
Draw a dotted line through the middle to represent the equator.
The Moon is much smaller than the Earth in size and the Sun is much larger than the Earth. Since the moon makes a bigger impact being near to the earth, cut out a wee bigger moon than the sun.
Place the Sun, Earth, and Moon on a table to epitomize the solar system. Place Sun at the far corner, although in reality, the sun is far away from the earth and moon.
Place the sun in the line of the equator, as the line of the equator runs into the Sun. The Moon orbits the Earth, so place it next to the Earth. Now create the springtide.
Full Moon happens when the sun illuminates the moon’s face. Then Sun aligns to the moon in relation to the Earth, so position them accordingly.
Now, place one of the spring tide crescent trimmings on the side of the Earth-facing the moon and one crescent trimming for spring tide on the other side of the earth.
Compare the positions of the Sun, Moon, and Earth during spring tides and neap tides. Why would this affect the tides?

Explanation

The phases of the moon explain high or low tides. The new moon happens when the moon is between Sun and Earth in one line, this is when the tides are low. A quarter moon phase position is when the sun moon and earth are at right angles. The sun & moon’s gravity counters each other hence the Neap tides or LOW tides. During spring tides or high tides, Sun and moon aligned to Earth, which cause the maximum pull on the tides. The project helps to understand the concept of high & low tides.

Static electricity discharge in cars

January 22, 2022 by ScienceProjects

In this article, we will learn about the Static electricity discharge mechanisms. When electric charge builds up in one substance after rubbing with the other substance that produces the Static electricity. When different fabrics are rubbed together, a spark appears between them. The static electricity discharge occurs in the cars when clothing rubs on the car seats.

The dry air and cold weather support this action. Even many accidents are noticed at the gas stations when a driver enters or gets off the car, especially on dry winter days. The static shocks one can feel even when touching the car handle or door.

Objective

The objective of the experiment here is to investigate the amount of static electricity produced by friction between car seats and different clothing. The project experiment is with the car seats made of leather and cotton to compare with different clothing materials like cotton, nylon, silk, etc.
Theory-To proves that leather car seats produce more static electricity than other material seats.

Static electricity discharge Abstract

Static Electricity is a mass on any surface of a substance that could create static shocks of electricity. The cause attributes to the friction between two materials. Every object comprises atoms that have a nucleus made of neutrons & protons and electrons moving around them.

The effect of the triboelectric shows after the friction between two materials. The triboelectric effect relates to the occurrence of adhesion, where two materials composed of different molecules attract each other. When these two materials come in contact, the exchange of electrons happens. When the material separated, many electrons stay back on the material causing static shocks.

Procedure

Material for the Project Experiment- Balloon, Copper plate, jumper wire with crocodile clips, 1 leather car seat, 1 fabric car seat, 1 piece each of nylon, silk, cotton & Polyester, paper, a paper-knife, ruler, and a tray.

Preparations

The idea of the static electricity discharge experiment is to observe the most static shock-prone material cotton or leather in comparison to other fabrics.
Copperplate connected to the ground connection.
200-pieces of papers cut to a 2-inch square and one inflated balloon all discharged, and placed on the grounded copper tray, then on the tray.

Experiment

To start the static electricity discharge experiment rub the balloon 5 times in one direction with a cotton cloth then place cut paper pieces on the cotton seat. Bring balloon near the paper and check how many pieces stick to the balloon and record it. Discharge papers on the copperplate then place them back on the tray.
Discharge balloon also and repeat rubbing 5 times by the cotton cloth then placing the papers and the leather car seat. Then record how many paper pieces stick on the balloon.
Adopt the same process with the rest of the fabric pieces and record.

Observe the results

The paper attracted to Cotton seat and Leather seat with: –

Cotton 3:33 (3 papers attracted to Cotton seat and 33 to Leather seat)
Polyester 19:27
Nylon 21:29
Silk 33:43

Conclusion

The static electricity discharge experiment thus proves that Leather car seats produce more static electricity than other fabric seats. The leather seats are inflammable when humidity is low in winters. A spark can prove dreadful, especially when someone gets out of the car in a gas station.