Investigating the Weight of Carbon Dioxide

The Scientific Method

Hands-On Labs, Inc. Version 42-0313-00-01

Lab Report Assistant

This document is not meant to be a substitute for a formal laboratory report. The Lab Report Assistant is simply a summary of the experiment’s questions, diagrams if needed, and data tables that should be addressed in a formal lab report. The intent is to facilitate students’ writing of lab reports by providing this information in an editable file which can be sent to an instructor.

Exercise 1: Investigating the Weight of Carbon Dioxide

Data Table 1. Investigation of the Weight of Carbon

Step 1: Make observations	Baking Soda
	Vinegar
	Reaction
Step 2: Ask a Question and Conduct Background Research	Question
	Mass (amu) of CO2	44.01 amu
	Mass (amu) of Air	28.82 amu
	Notes about Gases
Step 3: Formulate a Hypothesis	Hypothesis
Step 4: Test the Hypothesis	Experimental Observations
Step 5: Analyze the Data and Draw Conclusions	Conclusions (If and Why Hypothesis was Supported or Rejected)

 

Questions

A. Why is a hypothesis supported or rejected, rather than being proven true or false?

B. Is an experiment considered to be a failure if the hypothesis is not supported? Explain your answer.

C. What gas did you find to be in the glass after mixing the baking soda and vinegar? Explain how you are certain.

D. Did you collect quantitative or qualitative data during this experiment? Explain your answer.

E. Describe your conclusions, including the observations that led to your conclusions.

 

 

Exercise 2: Modeling Global Warming

Data Table 2. Modeling Global Warming

Global Warming Synopsis
Sources

Data Table 3. Model #1 vs. Model #2

Model #1 vs. Model #2
Independent Variable
Dependent Variable
Control
Hypothesis

Data Table 4. Temperature and Greenhouse Gases

Time (minutes)	Model #1: Temperature (°C)	Model #2: Temperature (°C)	Notes
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
55
60
Change in Temperature:

 

Data Table 5. Global Warming Model Results

Model #1 vs. Model #2
Change in Temperature of Model #1 (°C)
Change in Temperature of Model #2 (°C)
Graph of Results
Conclusions (If and Why Hypothesis was Supported or Rejected)

 

Questions

A. Compare temperature measurements between the two models. Which model showed the greatest increase in temperature? Which model showed the least increase? Answer these questions by writing a short, descriptive paragraph comparing the models.

B. Describe the role of the plastic wrap in the experiment including both the similarities and dissimilarities to greenhouse gases.

 

C. If a third model (Model #3) was created by adding greenhouse gases, such as water vapor or carbon dioxide, and covered with plastic wrap and put into direct sunlight with Model #2, how would the temperatures vary? Explain your answer.

 

D. Relate the findings of this experiment to global warming. Include the benefits of greenhouse gases, but also describe the impact that excessive amounts of greenhouse gases have on global temperatures.

 

E. List each step of the scientific method. Describe how the experimental procedures applied to each step. Note: Since you are not expected to perform a peer review verification or communicate the results to the science community, the description for those steps can be indicated as “Not applicable.”

 

Exercise 3: Design and Perform your own Experiment

Scientific Method Template

Background Research

Sources:

Question:

Experimental Design:

Photo 1: Experimental Setup

 

Independent Variable:

Dependent Variable:

Control:

Hypothesis: Results and Observations:

Conclusion(s):

 

Questions

A. List the possible flaws with your experimental design, and describe how they could be corrected.

 

B. Use the findings from your research to develop a new question for future research that could be conducted to add to your experiment.

 

C. Relate the findings of your experiment to the impact rising ocean temperatures has on global climate change.