Sand Shake Lab

Problem: How will increasing the motion of molecules affect the temperature of the a material?

Hypothesis:

Experiment:
Step 1: Fill a test tube with a small amount of sand
Step 2: Take temperature of the sand at room temperature
Step 3: Shake the test tube of sand vigorously for 5 minutes (you’ll get tired)
Step 4: Take the temperature of the sand directly after shaking



Independent Variable: Shaken or Unshaken state
Dependent Variable: Temperature of the sand

Results:

Start Celsius Temp	Finish Celsius Temp	Start Fahrenheit Temp	Finish Fahrenheit Temp

Conclusion:

Possible Errors/Things to look out for
1. Heat increases may be caused from conduction of the shakers hand. Consider wearing a glove when shaking to eliminate this possibility.
2. Everyone shakes at different rates and some people get tired after a few minutes. Work in partners and alternate shakers if this is a problem.
3. Make sure students know how to read a thermometer in Celsius and Fahrenheit.
4. Measure an exact amount or sand in each test tube.

Extensions
- Have students do the Celsius/Fahrenheit conversions on their own
- Crowdsource the results to get an average for the temperature increase
- Try different size test tubes and see if it makes a difference.

Mint Reaction Lab

Note: I use this lab at the beginning of the year to practice the scientific process, but it could also be modified and used in a chemistry unit.

Problem - Which mint\ candy will have the biggest reaction with Diet Soda (Diet Pepsi in this experiment)?

Hypothesis -

Experiment - Supplies: Altoids, Ice Breakers, Pop Rocks, Mentos, Life Savers, Cups, and Diet Pepsi.

Step 1: Add 50 mL of Diet Pepsi to 5 cups (50 mL each)

Step 2: Drop 1 mint (use 1 teaspoon for Pop Rocks) into every cup with Diet Pepsi, and observe

Measure reactions on a scale 1 (least reactive) to 5 (most reactive)

Control - Granite rock in water (this represents 0 on the rating scale)

Independent Variable - Mint\Candy

Dependent Variable - Reaction

Results

Mint\Candy	Lifesaver	Ice Breaker	Altoids	Pop Rocks	Mentos
Reaction

Conclusion -

Potential Errors/Things to look out for
1-Diet Coke may be a better soda for this. It would be worth testing in another experiment
2-After dropping the mint in, give the cup a little shake

Other extensions: