Page 7 - Kindergarten.indd

CONTROLLED EXPERIMENT - RESPONSE FORM

AFFECT OF TEMPERATURE ON COMETS - SC.5.E.5.3

Student Name: _____________________________________ Date: _____________

TITLE AFFECT OF TEMPERATURE ON COMETS

PROBLEM
How does temperature affect the lifespan of comets?
STATEMENT

HYPOTHESIS If comets are placed near a heating source (like the Sun), then the comet
will melt (faster/slower).
circle one
CONTROL INDEPENDENT VARIABLE DEPENDENT VARIABLE NUMBER OF TRIALS

FIXED VARIABLES
 two – large plastic mixing bowls
 two – large plastic bags ( about the size of a small garbage bag)
 one – pair of safety goggles

 one – heavy duty gardening gloves
 one – pitcher of water
MATERIALS  six – tablespoons cornstarch
 one handful – backyard soil
 five to ten pounds of dry ice
 one – mallet or hammer
 two teaspoons – dark cane syrup
 one – plastic bag
 one – heating lamp
 one – 2 gallon-sized zip lock bags
 one – clock or watch
Day 1

Step 1: Place a mixing bowl on a table.
Step 2: Open the plastic bag and place it inside the bowl with the sides hanging over the bowl.
Step 3: Pour two cups of water, three tablespoons of starch, two teaspoons of syrup, and a
handful of backyard soil into the bag. Mix these ingredients together.
Step 4: Wearing gloves and goggles, place half the dry ice into an insulated bag and crush with
a hammer into small pieces.
Step 5: Place the pieces of dry ice into the mixture in the bowl.
Step 6: Twist the top of the bag and press down on the ice mixture to form a solid mass.
PROCEDURES Step 7: Remove the mass from the bag and place inside a Ziploc bag.
Step 8: Repeat steps 1 through 7 to form a second comet. Place both comets in a freezer for
overnight storage.
Day 2
Step1: Remove both comets from the freezer.
Step2: Place one comet beneath a heating lamp.
Step 3: Place the other comet on a tray covered with ice away from the lamp.
Step 4: Record the time it takes for the comet to melt.
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