Climate Graph H/W

The Climate Graph work we did in class, sorry if they're a bit blurry. I was testing out a new camera (:

Tell me if I need to take them again - if there are any problems.

Background Information on Floods

Floods are waters that frequently cover an area of land that is usually dry. In parts of the world where floods occur frequently, people use sand bags to divert water from dry land and their homes. It is usually used as a foundation for higher levees, or other water-control structures. Sandbags are usually made of burlap or polypropylene as they do not deteriorate unless there is wet sand inside the bag.

A trench is first dug, sandbags are then placed on top of one another in a row. Sandbags should be placed in the direction of the water flow, and there shouldn't be any space in between. The sandbags should be "staggered" on top of one another like bricks, this adds protection and security to stabilise the sandbags. Sandbags should be limited three to four layers, since it may result in it being insecure.

The material frequently used in sandbags is sand, hence the name. It is generally used as it is readily available and traps most of the water, on account of it being denser than water. Density is the measure of a quantity, such as mass. Denser objects are heavier than less dense ones of the same size in the same volume. Denser objects are also heavier than less denser ones of the same size in the same gravitational field. Therefore, 1L of water is lighter than 1L of sand; sand is denser than water. This may possibly be the reason sand is a popular material in sandbags.

Gravel is loose material consisting of rock and mineral fragments, they are larger than 2mm in dimater but smaller than 256mm in diameter. Gravel is produced by the weathering and erosion of rocks. Strong river currents tend to transport gravel great distances before it is deposited, rock fragments that are transported by water are rounded while those carried by ice glaciers possess sharp, angular edges. Gravel is not compact and does not absorb the water so it may be less effective in preventing water leaking from sandbags.

Woodchips are produced from wood residue, manufacturing waste and energy crops. For efficient handling and combustion, woodchips should be around 2-25mm in their largest dimension. They are not compact but do absorb some water, therefore less water leaks through the sandbags. Woodchips are often used for landscaping.

Bibliography for the above information:

- Wikipedia Foundation Inc., 'Sand', 27/04/10, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sand

- Chemistry Daily.com, 'Density', 27/04/10, http://www.chemistrydaily.com/chemistry/Density

- eHowInc, 'How to make a sandbag', '25/04/10, http://www.ehow.com/how_4224_make-sandbag.html

- Energy Saving Wales, 'Requirements of wood chips used', 27/04/10, http://www.energysavingwales.org.uk/index.cfm?fuseaction=TM.viewTip&tipID=107&aspect=2&sector=1&currentTip=107direction=view

Risk Assessment + Control Variables

Risks involved in the experiment include . . .

Identifying it:

- cutting one side of the aluminium foil container

- placing woodchips in the sand bag

- sewing the sandbags on the machine

Assessing it:

- Possibly attaining a cut from sawing off the side of the aluminium foil container

- Receiving splinters when placing woodchips in the sandbag

- Piercing a needle through your finger while sewing the sand bags

Controlling it:

- Be aware of where body parts (arms, fingers, legs etc.) are

- Gloves should be worn at all times when handling woodchips

- Have adult supervision when sewing and sawing

How the variables will be controlled

The variables (controlled variables):
o The size of the sandbag : each sand bag, when finished will measure 13.5cm x 7.0cm
o The amount of water poured through : a 1.25L bottle will used so that exactly 1.25L of water will be poured
o The way the sandbags are stacked : there will be three sandbags laid next to each other, with two levels, they should be stacked like bricks
o Shape of the aluminium container : only one aluminium foil container will be used so that the shape remains the same
o Size of the container : only one aluminium foil container will be used so that the size remains the same
o Amount of material placed in each sandbag : the material (sand, woodchips, coarse gravel etc) will be poured into the sandbag until there is 1cm left at the top for the sand bag to fold
o The shape of the sandbag : each sand bag will have a rectangular shape
o The time allowed for the water to run through : a timer will be used and the water will be allowed 5mins to run through before it is stopped
o The rate at which the water is being poured : the water will be poured by hand and care will be taken for it to be poured at a steady rate

Dependent variable:
o The amount of water that escapes past the sandbags.

Independent variable:
o The materials that are placed in the sandbag (sand, woodchip, coarse gravel and soil)

What materials work best in a sandbag for preventing a flood?

Experiment: What materials work best in a sandbag for preventing a flood?

Aim: To determine what materials work best in a sandbag for preventing a flood.

Now that I’ve gotten Miss Zhang’s approval I will commence with some more research on my chosen experiment - “What materials work best in a sandbag for preventing a flood?” - such as:

- how a flood works/is caused
- methods (what they constructed) that have been used to prevent floods
- materials (such as sand, gravel, soil etc.) people have used to prevent floods
- how would each material prevent a flood? Are any of them more effective then the other?

The variables (controlled variables):
o The size of the sandbag
o The amount of water poured through
oThe way the sandbags are stacked
o Shape of the aluminium container
o Size of the container
o Amount of material placed in each sandbag
o The shape of the sandbag
o The time allowed for the water to run through
o The rate at which the water is being poured

Dependent variable:
o The amount of water that escapes past the sandbags.

Independent variable:
o The materials that are placed in the sandbag (sand, woodchip, coarse gravel and soil)

Experiment Suggestions

OK. So I’ve finally figured out the basics of “blogging” and in the process have accidentally followed myself. = =’
Anyways, I found a helpful website: http://www.easy-kids-science-experiments.com/high-school-science-fair-topics.html

I found three different experiments that seem interesting:

(Briefly describing)

Testing Permanent Markers
Experiment: How permanent are permanent markers?
Materials needed:
- Black permanent marker
- Water
- Rubbing alcohol
- Vinegar
- Soft drink (coca-cola)
- Materials to write on: Plastic, Paper, Cotton
- 4 eye droppers

Method: A thick black line was drawn across each piece of material (plastic, paper and cotton) and was left to dry for 20mins. Each piece of fabric was then cut into four equal pieces. Three drops of each liquid (water, rubbing alcohol, vinegar and coca-cola) was instilled on each piece of fabric and left for 15 minutes. Observations were made and results recorded. This experiment was repeated 3 times.

What Materials Work Best in a Sandbag for Preventing a Flood?
Experiment: What Materials Work Best in a Sandbag for Preventing a Flood?
Materials needed:
- Sandbags
- 4 aluminium containers
- Sand
- Woodchips
- Soil
- Coarse Gravel
- Stopwatch
- Water
- Bucket
- Measuring cup

Method: A third of the aluminium container is sawed off. Sand is poured into the sandbag and placed in the aluminium container. 500ml of water is measured with a measuring cup and poured into the aluminium container. A bucket is placed underneath the aluminium container. After 5 minutes the bucket is removed and the water in it is measured. Observations and results were recorded. This experiment was repeated with the other three materials: woodchips, soil and coarse gravel. This experiment was repeated 4 times in total.

Which brand of paracetamol is the most effective?
Experiment: Which brand of paracetamol is the most effective?
Materials needed:
- 5 different brands of paracetamol (panadol, nurofen, panamax, advil and herron)
- Water
- Thermometer
- Stopwatch
- 5 glass cups
- Measuring cup

Method: 100ml of water (at normal human temperature, approximately 37 degrees) was placed into 5 glass cups, the temperatures were recorded. One tablet from each brand of paracetamol (panadol, nurofen, panamax, advil, and herron) was placed in the cups until the paracetamol had dissolved. The time it took to dissolve was recorded with the stopwatch. The experiment was repeated 3-4 times.

OK. So I have three choices now so that’s cool. Miss Zhang, could you give me your opinion on which experiment would be most suitable. If you can that is, it’s not cheating is it? >.>

If none of them are suitable because it's too simple or not year 10 standards I'll find something else on the net.
Once I’ve figured out which experiment I’m doing I’ll post up the background info and stuff etc.

I’m outta here.

Aivee H

"Hello World." and Miss Zhang (: