Final blog: 2nd mind map of results

This mind map summarises my results, discussion and conclusion sections of my SRP report.

Week 13: Discussion, more research (finishing touches)

The report is nearly complete, things I still need to add tonight are:

-Bibliography (my report currently only has a reference list)

-Pictures (no pictures were taken during the investigation)

Discussion sample:

1. What were the general trends/patterns observed?

The general trends in this experiment show that the size of the balloon over the Pepsi bottle was greater than that of the balloon over the No Frills bottle. This was the case in every experiment trial, although the amount of difference changed slightly.

Research sample:

Carbon Dioxide and balloon capacity:

-1 ton (1000kg) of Carbon Dioxide gas takes up 556.2m³. This is 0.56m³ per kg.

-The package of the “large helium-quality” balloons which was purchased for the experiment states that the circumference of the balloons, when fully inflated, is 30cm.

There was also a subheading of "Home brand vs Regular Brand" added as well as an expansion of information under the heading of "over-view of soft drinks"

Week 12: Graphs drawn, changes, variables added

Sample graph: (there are four total in the report)

Experiment variables:

Independent: The brand of soft drinks used (home brand and regular)

Dependent: The amount of carbon dioxide gas inside soft drink bottles (measured indirectly by the space taken up by the gas)

Controlled:  -The type of balloon used

                     -The amount of liquid inside each bottle

                     -The size of each bottle

                     -Consistency in soft drink brand for each trial

                     -The size of the bottle neck

                     -Temperature of the drinks

In the equipment list, "Pack of balloons" is changed to:

-Pack of large helium-quality balloons (minimum of 6)

 

Week 12: Results table

Results-

	Pepsi balloon diameter (cm)	No Frills balloon diameter (cm)
Trial one	25	21
Trial two	27	20
Trial three	25	23

Week 11 (late): Reliability/validity mind map

A mind map exploring the reliability and validity of each test idea that I used to decide on the Balloon wrap experiment. (click to expand image)

Week 10.5: Changes to aim and equipment

Aim changed from "To compare the rate of bubble retention in different brands of soft drink."

to "To compare the difference in carbon dioxide levels in home-brand soft drink bottles and regular-brand soft drink bottles."

New equipment list:

-3 Pepsi 1.25L bottles

-3 No Frills 1.25L bottles

-Pack of balloons (minimum of 6)

-Safety goggles

-Flexible measuring tape

-Heavy black marker

Note: Pepsi represents the regular brand and No Frills represents the home brand

Week 10.5: Method written, equipment modified

 Equipment list:

-Pepsi 1.25L bottle

-Coca Cola 1.25L bottle

-No Frills 1.25L bottle

-Home Brand 1.25L bottle

-Pack of balloons (minimum of 4)

-Safety goggles

-Flexible measuring tape

-Heavy black marker

-Ruler

Method:

1. Measure the half-way point from the bottom of the each deflated balloon to the top.
2. Draw a horizontal line across the balloons at the half-way point on both sides.
3. Wrap the balloons over each of the soft drink bottles (do not open them) until the cap is completely covered.
4. Open the cap of a bottle completely and quickly and step away from the bottle immediately.
5. Measure and record the length of the marked line on the balloon using measuring tape.
6. Repeat steps 4 and 5 for the rest of the bottles.

Week 10: Experiment success!

A larger balloon brand was bought and the trial experiment was a success.

(see attached image)

Full experiment will be performed in the coming week.

Also, duct tape is removed from the equipment list (the balloon is already tight enough)

Week 9: Trial experiment

Trial experiment failed, the balloon was too small, and had to be too tightly wrapped around the bottle. When the lid was opened, it instantly bursted.

Suggested Solutions:
-Find a larger balloon to use
-Change the experiment entirely

Week 8: Materials and precautions

(Please note that the experiement may be changed as further testing is performed)

Materials/equipment

-5 Various bottled soft drinks, 1.25L each.

(Must include a home brand such as No Frills)

-Pack of balloons (at least 2 for each bottle of soft drink)

-Safety goggles

-Flexible measuring tape

-Duct tape

-Heavy black marker

-Ruler

Safety precautions

-Keep a safe distance away from the balloon as it is inflating; it may explode.

-Furthermore, wear safety goggles as soft drinks will cause severe irritation to eyes.

-Please take care to keep movement of the soft drink bottles to a minimum (especially during transport), to prevent gas building up inside.

The general idea of this experiment is to wrap a balloon over the lid of a soft drink bottle, open it while the balloon is deflated, and then measure the balloon after it has inflated.

Possible flaws:

-There is not enough gas inside the bottles to inflate the balloon enough to measure.

-There is too much gas inside the bottles, leading to leakage or explosion.

-The balloons will be too small to properly wrap over the lids and/or to open the lids through it.

Week 7: Some research & experiment ideas

http://www.australianbeverages.org/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=ASP0002/ccms.r?PageId=10053

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-carbonated-beverage.htm

Overview of Soft Drinks:

"Soft drinks are carbonated water, flavoured and sweetened with either sugar or sweetener."

Carbonation (charging with carbon dioxide gas) of the drinks are what creates the bubbles and fizziness in taste.

"Acids such as citric and phosphoric acids, add a refreshing tartness or bite and help preserve the quality of a soft drink."

This could possibly be another factor to the fizziness in soft drinks.

Experiment ideas:

-"Coke and Mentos" (measure the amount of liquid lost when Mentos is placed in a drink)

-Observation of bubble loss (too many bubbles to count!)

-Taste tests (unreliable as it may be influenced by opinions)

Week 6: Hypothesis made

Hypothesis: I believe that the independent variable, that is, the type of soft drink, will have an effect on the dependent variable, that is, the rate of bubble retention. Specifically, that the home-brand soft drinks such as No-Frills will lose carbonation faster than regular brands.

Week 5: Aim and Purpose chosen

Aim: To compare the rate of bubble retention in different brands and types of soft drink.

Purpose: “Do home-brand soft drinks lose their fizziness faster than other soft drinks?”

I wanted to find out the answer to this question so that in the future, I would purchase the best brands and types soft drinks. The soft drinks which last the longest are considered superior because flat soft drinks are very unpleasant to drink.