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The Soap Factor

The Soap Factor. An investigation into the impact of soapy water on plant growth. By Igor Adventurous. Background Information.

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The Soap Factor

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  1. The Soap Factor An investigation into the impact of soapy water on plant growth. By Igor Adventurous

  2. Background Information This investigation came about when it was observed the grass beneath a leaky, soapy water pipe was growing better than the surrounding grass. It was known that plants need water, sunlight and nutrients to survive but the observer was unsure whether soapy water would have a positive impact on growth. This would be a useful study considering the impact of human activity on our environment. If it is proved that soapy water then further study would be needed on other impacts of soapy water on our environment.

  3. Hypothesis Soapy water makes grass grow more quickly.

  4. Variables • Factors which could influence the experiment and need to be kept the same for all replications. • The variable which will be changed (independent variable). • Concentrations of soap in the water. • The variable which will be measured as a result of the change (dependent variable). • Plant growth measured by height. • The control • Pots which are watered with untreated water.

  5. Method • Two sets of 12 pots were filled with potting mix and planted out with an equal number of grass seeds from the same batch. • The pots were arranged in the glasshouse and labelled as in the table below. • All were watered with an equal amount of untreated tap water until they germinated. • Once the plants had germinated they were watered with different concentrations of soapy water. • Pot a received……. • Pot b….. • Pot c • Pot d • The growth rate of the grass was measured weekly by cutting the grass and weighing the clippings. Each step of the investigation should be written out in a similar format

  6. Method continued

  7. Equipment • Rye grass seeds obtained from …………… • 32 x 150 mm black pots • Nutrient-free potting mix • Measuring jug for watering • Laundry powder • Measuring spoons for laundry powder • Beakers for mixing solutions of soap. • Digital scales for weighing the mass of the grass clippings • Scissors • Plastic freezer bags to contain the clippings

  8. Randomness Sample Size • An adequate sample size will be ensured by having 16 pots with four different treatments. • This will be replicated using another 16 pots treated in an identical way to the first 16. • The pots will be randomised using Latin squares as mentioned in the method. Safety • There are minimal safety concerns for this experiment. Handwashing when dealing with potting mix is important. Also it is important to deal with damp potting mix so that dust isn’t inhaled.

  9. Results • Describe what you did to your raw data so that it could be analysed. For example: The height of the plants was recorded daily/every second day/weekly. This data was placed in a table and then graphed. • Describe what happened. What did you observe?

  10. Results continued

  11. Conclusion • The conclusion answers the question. It is a summary of what occurred in the experiment. What do your results tell you. Look for any trends or patterns. Has the hypothesis has been supported by the experiment or not? What other questions does your experiment raise? • Were there any problems during the experiment. Were here any unexpected events? • How cold this experiment be improved in future?

  12. References and Acknowledgements Books: Smith JM. Tomatoes that changed the world, New York: Macmillan. 2005. Journals and magazines: Jones A. How to get your tomatoes flowering. Education Monographs, 2001.5,6:2-5. Pamphlets Australian Photonics, The how, what and why of optical fibres. Australian Photonics. Sydney Websites Learning Materials Production.2005. NSW Department of education and training, Sydney, viewed 20 March 2005 www.lmpc.edu.au/Science/junior_science/project.htm People: Fred Bloggs, nurseryman

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