Category: My Classroom Material

Design Controlled Experiment

 

Developing a Controlled Experiment

Directions: Using your knowledge of the Scientific Method, complete the following situations.

1. Define hypothesis? 

2. Define experimental variable? 

3. Why is it important for an experiment to contain a control? 

4. Develop a controlled experiment to back up the following hypothesis:

The temperature of a lake has an effect on a fish’s ability to produce viable offspring.

  1. List the equipment needed to carry on this experiment.
  2. List the steps of the controlled experiment so that any one can follow.
  3. What is the experimental variable?
  4. What are the control(s) of the experiment?
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Cornell Note Sample

Cornell Note-taking System Sample

 

Reduce or Question (After Lecture)

  • write key words, phrases or questions that serve as cues for notes taken in class
  • cue phrases and questions should be in your own words

Recite

  • with classroom notes covered, read each key word or question
  • recite the fact or idea brought to mind by key word or question
 Record (During Lecture)

  • write down facts and ideas in phrases
  • use abbreviations when possible (After Lecture)
  • read through your notes
  • fill in blanks and make scribbles more legible

Reflect and Review

  • review your notes periodically by reciting
  • think about what you have learned
Recapitulation (After Lecture)

  • summarize each main idea
  • use complete sentences

Dichotomous Key

Dichotomous Key

The identification of biological organisms can be greatly simplified using tools such as dichotomous keys.  A dichotomous key is an organized set of couplets of mutually exclusive characteristics of biological organisms.  You simply compare the characteristics of an unknown organism against an appropriate dichotomous key.  These keys will begin with general characteristics and lead to couplets indicating progressively specific characteristics. If the organism falls into one category, you go to the next indicated couplet.  By following the key and making the correct choices, you should be able to identify your specimen to the indicated taxonomic level.

Sample key to some common beans used in the kitchen:

 

Pinto

 

1a. Bean round Garbanzo bean
1b. Bean elliptical or oblong Go to 2
2a. Bean white White northern
2b. Bean has dark pigments Go to 3
3a. Bean evenly pigmented Go to 4
3b. Bean pigmentation mottled Pinto bean
4a. Bean black Black bean
4b. Bean reddish-brown Kidney bean

Click here for correct answers

 

Chromatography of Plant Pigments Sample 2 PreAP

 

Chromatography of Plant  Pigments

 

Introduction

Chromatography is a way of separating a mixture using differences in the abilities of the components to move through a material. All chromatography involves two phases – a stationary phase and a mobile phase. The movement of the mobile phase through the stationary phase allows separation to take place. Because the components of a mixture move at different rates, they eventually separate.

Paper chromatography is a common way to separate various components of a mixture. The components of the mixture separate because different substances are selectively absorbed by paper due to differences in polarity. A solution can be separated by allowing it to flow along a stationary substance. Water or some other solvent is used as the mobile phase. The solvent moves upward along the paper because of capillary action. As it reaches the spot, the mixture dissolves in the solvent. For instance, the pigments in an ink solution can be separated by passing the ink through a piece of paper. The pigments respond differently to the paper. The differences in the migration rates result in differences in the distances the separated components travel, some pigments are held back while other moves ahead. Eventually, a pattern of colors results that shows the separated pigments.

Hypothesis

Paper can be used to separate mixed chemicals.

Materials

The materials used for this lab are paper, pencil, scissors, eraser, filter paper, test tube, cork, paper clip, metric ruler, black felt-tip pen, and a calculator.

Methods

The first step to this experiment was to bend a paper clip so that it is straight with a hook at one end. Push the straight end of the paper clip into the bottom of a cork stopper. Next, hang a thin strip of filter paper on the hooked end of the paper clip. Insert the paper strip into the test tube so it does not touch the sides, but almost the bottom of the test tube. Next, remove the paper strip from the test tube and draw a solid 5 mm wide band about 25 mm from the bottom of the paper, using a black felt tip pen. Use a pencil to draw a line across the top of the paper strip 10 cm from the top.

Pour about 2 mL of water into the test tube with the bottom of the paper in the water and the black band above the water. Observe what happens as the liquid travels up the paper. Record the changes you see. When the solvent has reached the pencil line, remove the paper from the test tube. Let the paper dry on the desk. With a metric ruler, measure the distances form the starting point to the top edge of each color. Record the data in a data table. Calculate a ration for each color by dividing the distance the color traveled by the distance the solvent traveled.

Results

The results of the experiment are shown in a chart and a graph.

Distance color traveled and Rf value.

 

Color of ink (list in order Distance traveled by each color (mm) Distance solvent traveled (mm) Ration traveled =
Distance color moved /Distance water moved
Yellow 50 120 5/12
Orange 85 120 17/24
Pink 100 120 5/6
Red 105 120 7/8
Blue 115 120 23/24
Violet 120 120 1

 

Questions

1. How many colors separated from the black ink? Six colors separated from the black ink: yellow, orange, pink, red, blue, violet.

2. What served as the solvent for the ink? Water served as the solvent because it is the universal solvent.

3. As the solvent travel up the paper, what color appeared first? Orange appeared first as the solvent traveled up the paper.

4. List the colors in order from top to bottom that separated from the black ink? The colors that separated from top to bottom: violet, blue, red, pink, orange, and yellow.

5. In millimeters, how far did the solvent travel. The solvent traveled 120mm.

6. From your results, what can you conclude is true about black ink. That black ink is a combination of several colors and that can be separated by water.

7. Why did the inks separate? The ink separated because each pigment has its own characteristics and molecular structure.

8. Why did some inks move a greater distance? Different pigments were absorbed at different rates.

Error analysis

There could be an error by the way the ink was distributed on the paper or by the amount of water put in the test tube.

Conclusion

The hypothesis was correct. This experiment showed the way black ink could be separated. Black ink is made from a various colors— yellow, orange, pink, red, blue, and violet. The colors separate because of the differences in their molecular characteristics, their solubility in water and their rate of absorption by the paper.

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