Osmosis Lab
Introduction: In this experiment I aim to investigate the effect of the surface area to volume ratio on the rate evaporation of water in different sized containers. By measuring the time it takes for the whole amount of water to evaporate, a conclusion can be made about the validity of the surface to volume ratio in regards to the biological process of diffusion.
Research Question: What is the effect of the surface area to volume ratio on the evaporation of water?
Variables:
- Independent: o Surface area in cm2 of the top most surface of water in the container.
- Dependent: o Rate of evaporation in seconds.
- Control: o Temperature of the room set at 25 degrees Celsius o Starting temperature of distilled water is at 25 degrees Celsius. o Volume of distilled water in the container at 100 mL. o Material of the containers is dark plastic (preferably black) as to not allow for light to penetrate the sides of the container. o Lighting in room is consistently bright with lights turned on and blinds shut as to not let any variability of sunlight affect the evaporation.
- Uncontrolled: o Cannot control for the minor fluctuations in the testing environment such as the exact temperature and humidity.
Apparatus:
- Different sized dark plastic containers whose cross sections are 4 cm2, 9 cm2, 16 cm2, 25 cm2, and 36 cm2. This is easiest done with square containers.
- At least 1.5 L of bottled distilled water
- Measuring Cup with mL markings, at least 100 mL large.
- Stopwatch
- Thermometer
- Paper towels
Method:
1. First I will begin by setting the temperature of the experimental room to 25 degrees Celsius, and blinding the windows as to not let any sunlight through. This can be confirmed by thermometer.
2. I will prepare my distilled water sample by letting the 1.5 L bottle sit in the room for as long as it takes for it to reach equilibrium with the room temperature of 25 degrees Celsius. I will then confirm this again with a thermometer.
Research Question: What is the effect of the surface area to volume ratio on the evaporation of water?
Variables:
- Independent: o Surface area in cm2 of the top most surface of water in the container.
- Dependent: o Rate of evaporation in seconds.
- Control: o Temperature of the room set at 25 degrees Celsius o Starting temperature of distilled water is at 25 degrees Celsius. o Volume of distilled water in the container at 100 mL. o Material of the containers is dark plastic (preferably black) as to not allow for light to penetrate the sides of the container. o Lighting in room is consistently bright with lights turned on and blinds shut as to not let any variability of sunlight affect the evaporation.
- Uncontrolled: o Cannot control for the minor fluctuations in the testing environment such as the exact temperature and humidity.
Apparatus:
- Different sized dark plastic containers whose cross sections are 4 cm2, 9 cm2, 16 cm2, 25 cm2, and 36 cm2. This is easiest done with square containers.
- At least 1.5 L of bottled distilled water
- Measuring Cup with mL markings, at least 100 mL large.
- Stopwatch
- Thermometer
- Paper towels
Method:
1. First I will begin by setting the temperature of the experimental room to 25 degrees Celsius, and blinding the windows as to not let any sunlight through. This can be confirmed by thermometer.
2. I will prepare my distilled water sample by letting the 1.5 L bottle sit in the room for as long as it takes for it to reach equilibrium with the room temperature of 25 degrees Celsius. I will then confirm this again with a thermometer.