Powder experiments

This is the last Experiment that we did in class
BS=Baking Soda
BP=Baking Powder
CT=Corn Starch
D=Detergent
?=The Unknown

Summary:

This week we have been working with different crystals, granules, and powders. We have also used some other materials that are not granules to do the experiment, like detergent! There was also a powder labeled unknown. We don't know what type of powder, or granule it was, so we have been doing different tests to figure it out.

Some of the powders that we have include:

• Sugar
• Salt
• Epsom
• MSG
• Baking Soda
• Baking Powder
• Detergent
• Corn Starch

We have been trying to figure out the unknown for a while. We have used some of our senses:

• Eyesight
• Hearing
• Touching

Observing

The way we used our eyesight to figure out what the unknown is observing. We put each sample of the powders on a paper, and wrote notes about them while observing. We looked at our observations to see if the Unknown had any of the same properties as any other granules, but we did not have enough information.

From this test my group made a hypothesis that the unknown is the Epsom salt because they were the same size. They also had the same diamond shape. The color was also really similar. 

Crushing Test

We used our hearing to try to identify the unknown by taking samples of the unknown, and crushing them with a spoon. We listened to the sound that it made when we were crushing them. To make this experiment fair, we made one person do all of the crushing.  

From this test, the unknown had the same sounds as the Epsom. They also looked the same after we crushed them. The unknown also looked like the salt because of the color, and texture.

Weighing Test

Another experiment that we did was weighing the crystals, and the unknown. On one side of the balance scale we put a cup, and on the other side we  put the powder, and we wanted to see how much powder it took for it to be even with the cup. We did this test to figure out if any of the crystals weighed the same as the unknown.

Dissolving Test

Once we have weighed all of the different powders, we did the dissolving test. Each person had a cup of water, and a type of powder. We poured the water in at the same time to see what would happen. Most of the powders dissolved, but some of them were just floating on the top of the water.

Different Liquids Test

There is a picture of this test above. In this test we had different liquids:

• water
• vinegar
• indicator
• iodine

There were different powders in each row. We were mixing the different powders with the different liquids to see the different side effects. One of the liquids made the different powders have different colors! You can see this in the 2nd row of the picture.

From this experiment the unknown had similar results as the baking powder. They had the same amount of bubbles, they had the similar colors, they dissolved at the same pace, and for some of the liquids they floated on the top of the water.

SP3: Planning and Carrying out Investigations

My group designed and performed experiments to test our hypothesis. From the observations, my group thought that the unknown was the Epsom salt because it had similar properties. We have not proved anything yet because we are not done with testing our hypothesis. There are a few more tests that we are going to perform. 

Make sure to check my blogs next week!