Lab 1 – Do Oil and Water Mix Together?

Lab 1 – Do Oil and Water Mix Together?

1. Research question?

Does oil and water mix?

• Prediction: Oil and water will not mix. They are immiscible liquids, meaning they do not form a homogeneous mixture when combined. But when a liquid soap is used, they will both mix.

2. Hypothesis

• Oil and water do not mix.

3. Dependent variable

• The solubility or mixing ability of oil and water.

4. independent variable

• Oil-to-water ratio: Different amounts of oil and water will be used in each trial, starting with small amounts and possibly increasing in increments of 10 ml.
• Temperature: Different temperatures of water will be used to determine if temperature has an influence on the solubility of oil and water. The temperatures may start with low temperatures and possibly increase in increments of 10°C.
• Use of liquid soap: The quantity of liquid soap used in each experiment will vary, with possibly 5 ml being used.

5. Step of your experimental design (procedure).

• Set up a clean and clear container (glass or a beaker)
• Measure the amount of water and pour it into the container.
• Measure the amount of oil and add it to the container
• Tightly close the container
• Shake the container vigorously for 30 seconds
• Allow the mixture to settle
• Repeat the experiment with different ratios or amounts of oil, water, and soap.
• Record each trial’s numerical results (measurements of oil, water, and soap) for calculations.
• Observe and record any changes in the appearance of the mixture.

6. What materials did you use?

• 2 or 3 Containers (glass or beaker)
• Water
• Oil (e.g., vegetable oil)
• Stirring utensil (spoon or stir rod)
• Graduated cylinder or measuring cup
• Thermometer
• Notebook for recording observations and data

7. How did you carry out each experimental trial?

Experimental Factor 1:  Oil-to-water ratio

• Measure different amounts of oil and 100ml (constant) of water in each trial
• Start with small amounts and increase to 5ml

Experimental Factor 2: Water Temperature

• Use water of different temperatures to determine whether temperature influences solubility.
• Start with low temperatures and increase to 5 ^o C

Experimental Factor 3: use of liquid soap

• The quantity of soap should vary by 5ml in each trial.

8. What was the mean, median, mode, and range for each experimental factor?

Trials	Experimental Factor 1 (Oil-to-water ratio, ml)	Experimental Factor 2 (Temperature  o C)	Experimental Factor 3 (liquid soap, ml)
1	5	5	5
2	10	10	10
3	15	15	10
4	20	20	15
5	25	20	20
6	30	25	25
7	35	30	30
8	40	35	35
9	40	40	40
10	45	45	45
TOTAL	265	245	235
Mean	26.5	24.5	23.5
Median	27.5	22.5	22.5
Mode	40	20	10
Range	40	40	40

 

• The measurements taken in each trial are used to calculate the mean(the sum of measurements in all trials divided by the number of trials)
• Mode- the number or the measurement that was used more often than others
• Median – arrange the measurement from the smallest to the biggest and pick the middle ones
• Range- the difference between the largest and smallest measurement.

9. Did you reject or accept your hypothesis?

I accept the hypothesis. Oil and water do not mix because they have different polarities and do not have the ability to form stable molecular interactions.

However, when the liquid soap is added, water mixes with oil because soap acts as an emulsifying agent.

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One of the goals of science is to explain how the natural world (all the things we see or experience) functions. Although there are other systems for understanding and explaining the world around us (such as religion and traditional beliefs), science differs from these in that scientific explanations are based on the laws of nature. Laws of nature are patterns in nature that are objective (do not depend on faith, authority, or opinion), testable (can be demonstrated with experiments), and consistent (the same conditions produce the same results). To learn about the natural world, scientists use a procedure called the scientific method. The steps of the scientific method are:

Observation – observe something

Question – ask a question about what you observed

Hypothesis – form an educated guess that attempts to answer the question

Experiment – test the hypothesis with a controlled experiment (make observations/collect data)

Results – data collected during the experiment

Conclusion – reject the hypothesis (results not consistent with the hypothesis) or accept the hypothesis (results are consistent with the hypothesis)

The most challenging part of the scientific method is designing and experimenting to test the hypothesis. A well-designed experiment should include the following characteristics:

• An independent variable
  • The experiment part that the scientist changes or manipulates to see what effect occurs
• A dependent variable
  • The experiment part changes because of the change in the independent variable
  • Ask yourself: Is the result due to the change in the independent variable?
• Repetition
  • There should be more than one trial run for each variable
  • The more repetition, the less likely your results are due to random chance

In this lab, you will learn the steps of the scientific method by identifying each step and applying each through a fun activity where you develop an experiment to answer a question. You will be asked to hypothesize, collect and organize data, and use scientific measurements. This exercise aims to use the scientific method to solve a problem.

You might find it easier to complete this lab with the help of a partner. The person you choose as your partner should be fully informed of the exercise before you begin. If your partner does not feel comfortable with the exercise, do not make them do it. Find another partner who is aware of the assignment and comfortable with the entire activity.

Make sure you read the assignment directions carefully before starting. And remember, you cannot use another student’s work or images from the internet. All assignment submissions must be original work done by the student.

Materials Needed

Recording device (digital camera or webcam)

Calculator

Experiment equipment (depends on the question you ask, this will vary for each student)

Procedure A – Asking a Question

1. Take a few minutes to think about a question you have been pondering lately. Your question must be based on an observation you have made. Write down your research question below.
2. Now that you have your research question, what is the hypothesis for your experiment?
3. If your hypothesis is correct, what do you predict will happen?
4. Do your best to use the same experimental technique every time you complete a trial. These constants will ensure that the environment and methods stay the same, not influencing your results. What constants will you use to help keep the trials the same?

Procedure B – Gathering Data and Making a Conclusion

1. To test your hypothesis, you must design and carry out an experiment that will allow you to collect numerical data on your research question. You must have a well-thought-out experimental design to collect numerical data and make a successful conclusion, so take your time.
2. On the backside of this lab handout, write out each step of your experimental design. Ensure your design includes all three design characteristics (independent, dependent, and repetition).
3. Make a list of the materials you will need to carry out your experiment. Once your list is complete, lay all your materials out on the table in front of you, so they are easily accessible.
4. Have your partner photograph you and your materials before beginning the experiment. This photograph will document the beginning of your experiment. You will not receive credit for Procedure B if you do not submit a picture of yourself and your experiment materials.
5. Now, carry out your experiment and collect your data.
6. Run ten trials. For each trial, record your data in the table below. If you have more than three experimental factors, you will need to develop your table on the back of your lab handout.
7. Have your partner photograph you carrying out at least three experimental trials. These pictures will document your experiment and how you conducted each trial. You will not receive credit for Procedure B if you do not submit the images of yourself and your experiment trials.
8. Insert your pictures into a Word document and properly label them. I will not grade loosely attached images or images without a label.
9. Calculate the mean, median, mode, and range for each experimental factor.
10. Based on the data you collected, draw a conclusion. Are you rejecting or accepting your hypothesis? Why?

Lab Questions

Answer the following questions, adding your answers to the Word document that contains your experiment pictures.

1. What is the research question you developed? What do you predict will happen during your experiment (1 pt)?

2. What was your hypothesis (1 pt)?
3. What was the dependent variable (1 pt)?
4. What was the independent variable (1 pt)?
5. How did you carry out your experiment? List each step of your experimental design (2 pts).
6. What materials did you use? You must provide a picture of yourself and your experiment materials to receive credit (2 pts).
7. How did you carry out each experimental trial? You must provide a series of pictures of your experiment and how you conducted each trial to receive credit (6 pts).
8. What was the mean, median, mode, and range for each experimental factor? You must provide your raw data and your calculations to receive credit (4 pts).
9. Did you reject or accept your hypothesis? Why? Explain your answer (2 pts).

Ways to find the central tendency of a set of numbers

Mean a number that is midway in value between the other numbers (aka the average). Add all the numbers and divide by the total number to calculate the mean.

Example: 22 + 36 + 44 + 24 + 31 + 20 + 45 + 19 + 24 + 40/10 = 305/10 = 30.5

 Median: the middle number in a sequence of numbers listed from smallest to largest. To calculate the median: list all the numbers from your data table from smallest to largest. If you have an odd number, the median is the middle number. If you have an even number, calculate the mean of the two middle numbers.

Example: 19, 20, 22, 24, 24, 31, 36, 40, 44, 45 = 24 + 31/2 = 55/2 = 27.5

 Mode: the number that occurs most in the set of data.

Example: 19, 20, 22, 24, 24, 31, 36, 40, 44, 45 = 24 (because it occurs twice)

 Range: the difference between the smallest and largest number in a data set.

Example: 45‐19 = 26