110 likes | 254 Views
Science Fair 2013. By Nicholas Ferrara Lenape Middle School. Background information. Plants require many minerals to survive Micro- and macronutrients Iron is an important micronutrient Almost all materials are affected by magnetic forces Magnetic objects are ferromagnetic
E N D
Science Fair 2013 By Nicholas Ferrara Lenape Middle School
Background information • Plants require many minerals to survive • Micro- and macronutrients • Iron is an important micronutrient • Almost all materials are affected by magnetic forces • Magnetic objects are ferromagnetic • Strong tendency – parallel to force • Even nonmagnetic materials are slightly affected • Can be paramagnetic • Slight tendency – parallel to force • Can be diamagnetic • Slight tendency – perpendicular to force
Question / hypothesis • I wanted to see if there was a relationship between plants and magnets. • QUESTION: Do magnetic forces affect how plants grow, and if so, how? • HYPOTHESIS: I think plants will be affected by magnets by growing • towards the magnetic force. • This is because: • Many minerals plants need to survive (especially iron) are highly magnetic. • Even some nonmagnetic materials have been shown to be paramagnetic • (they have a slight tendency to grow parallel to magnetic forces)
Uses in the real world • Farmers • Would know how magnets affect their plants • Change location of plants • Shoppers/Consumers • More or less food
PROCEDURE • There are 3 groups • Group A (Control group) – No magnets • Group B – Magnets under the plants • Group C – Magnets around the plants • Each Group has 3 separate tests • This prevents errors in 1 test from dramatically affecting all data
PROCEDURE (cont.) Steps Taken: Each container was filled with soil up to 1 inch below the rim A hole 2” by 2” by 1.5” was made in every container In Group B, 2 magnets were put in the hole 1 tbsp. of soil and 2 radish seeds were added to every pot Each container was covered, and in Group C, 2 magnets were put off to the side The amounts of sunlight and water as well as temperature remained constant. Pots Soil Seeds Magnets
Experiment – photos Group B Group A Group C Group C Group B Group A Group B Group A Group C
Experiment – photos (cont.) Group B Group A Group C Not every day is shown
Data table • Green Numbers Show Plant Height • Red Numbers Show Angle Measurements • Degrees from flat (not from vertical) • *There is no data for Day 42
Graphs Plant Height With the Effect of Magnets Plant Angle Measurements With the Effect of Magnets Degrees From Vertical Height (millimeters)
Conclusion • Data: Height • Group A was tallest overall; Group C was shortest • Group B varied in height • Data: Angle measurements • Group B grew straightest;Group C was most off-center • General Conclusion: • Most data supported the hypothesis • Plants ARE affected by magnetic forces • They grow towards magnets near them • They are paramagnetic • They grow shorter around magnets