1 How Does Surface Area Affect the Dissolving Time of a Life Saver? Prepared by ____________________________ 6 th Grade Haymon-Morris Middle School Submitted to Mrs. Guillebeau December 4, 2009

2 Table of Contents Title PagePage 1 Table of ContentsPage 2 Purpose and HypothesisPage 3 MaterialsPage 4 VariablesPage 5 Background Information Pages 6-8 ProcedurePage 9 Data LogPages Data TablePage 13 ConclusionPage 14 ReferencesPage 15

3 Purpose and Hypothesis Purpose: The purpose of this experiment is to simulate how surface area affects the chemical and mechanical weathering process of a rock in a warm, moist environment. The life saver represents the rock and the mouth is the warm, moist environment-not unlike the one that Winder has experienced in the recent past. Hypothesis: As the surface area if the life saver increases, the dissolving time will __________________

4 Materials 9 life savers candies –3 whole –3 broken into 4 pieces –3 crushed 1 clock, watch, or stopwatch with second hand 1 person Logbook with data table

5 Variables Manipulative or Independent Variable Responding or Dependent Variable Controls Surface area of the candy Dissolving time of candy Type of candy Size of candy Dissolving technique –Allow candy to sit on tongue without sucking until dissolved.

6 Background Information Read the enclosed pages from two science textbooks about how surface affects chemical reactions and how it affects weathering rocks. Also read pages in your hardback red textbook. Write a brief description in your own words about the information in each of the resources. You need to make the connection between your experiment and how the rate of mechanical and chemical weathering are affected by the surface area of the rock. Page 285 specifically defines and explains surface area.

7 Procedure 1.Prepare life savers for trials 2.Gather materials –3 whole –3 broken into 4 pieces –3 crushed 3.Place whole life saver on tongue and allow to dissolve without sucking too much on the candy. 4.Record time in data table. 5.Repeat steps 3 and 4 two more times. 6.Place all four pieces of life saver on tongue at the same time. Allow candy to dissolve just like the whole life saver. 7.Record time in data table. 8.Repeat steps 6 and 7 two more times. 9.Place entire crushed life saver on tongue and allow to dissolve in the same manner as the other 2 tests. 10.Record time in data table. 11.Repeat steps 9 and 10 two more times.

8 Data Table Manipulative or Independent Variable Responding or Dependent Variable Time Rounded to the Nearest Whole Minute Surface Area of Candy Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Mean Whole Fourths Crushed

9 Graph

10 Conclusion I _____________ my hypothesis. The data show ______________________________ _____________________________________

11 References Chemical Interactions. Upper Saddle, New Jersey: Prentice Hall, Print. Science Explorer. Earth Science. Georgia ed. Orlando: Holt,Rinehart, and Winston, Print. Holt Science and Technology. Earth's Changing Surface. Upper Saddle, New Jersey: Prentice Hall, Print. Science Explorer.