13/06/2012 - Microwave Trial Experiment

Microwave Trial Experiment

Aim of Experiment:

To gain a better understanding of the workings of the actual experiment

Apparatus:

·         1 microwave oven

·         1 laboratory thermometer

·         1 500ml measuring cup

·         Tap water

·         1 microwaveable bowl

Steps of Experiment:

1.       Fill measuring cup with 400ml of tap water.

2.       Transfer the water to the microwaveable bowl.

3.       Place the microwaveable bowl in the microwave oven.

4.       Set the timer to default.

5.       After timer ends, measure temperature of water.

6.       After every 5 minutes, measure the temperature of water.

7.       Stop when the temperature does not appear to decrease any further.

Data:

Microwave Oven – Trial Experiment

Default timer = 4min 40s (maximum time)

Amount of water used = 400ml

Room temperature of water = 30.5°c

Temperature after timer ends = 95°c

Time	Temperature	Remarks
5.22.15 p.m. – 5.23.03 p.m.	95°c	·
5.28.03 p.m. – 5.28.40 p.m.	75°c	·
5.33.40 p.m. – 5.34.19 p.m.	69°c	·
5.39.19 p.m. – 5.40.05 p.m.	61°c	·
5.45.05 p.m. – 5.45.59 p.m.	56°c	·
5.50.59 p.m. – 5.51.43 p.m.	53°c	·
5.56.43 p.m. – 5.57.19 p.m.	49°c	·
6.02.19 p.m. – 6.03.01 p.m.	48°c	·
6.08.01 p.m. – 6.08.40 p.m.	46°c	·
6.13.40 p.m. – 6.14.34 p.m.	44°c	Late by 10 seconds
6.19.34 p.m. – 6.20.14 p.m.	43°c	·
6.25.14 p.m. – 6.25.55 p.m.	42°c	·
6.30.55 p.m. – 6.31.45 p.m.	41°c	Late by 20 seconds
6.36.45 p.m. – 6.37.17 p.m.	40°c	·
6.42.17 p.m. – 6.42.55 p.m.	39°c	·
6.47.55p.m. – 6.48.32 p.m.	38°c	·
6.53.32 p.m. – 6.54.08 p.m.	37.5°c	·
6.59.08 p.m. – 6.59.44 p.m.	37°c	·
7.04.44 p.m. – 7.05.55 p.m.	36°c	Late by 41 seconds
7.10.55 p.m. – 7.11.25 p.m.	36°c	·
7.16.25 p.m. – 7.17.11 p.m.	36°c	·
7.22.11 p.m. – 7.22.54 p.m.	35°c	·
7.27.54 p.m. – 7.28.14 p.m.	33°c	Possible Anomaly
7.33.14 p.m. – 7.33.46 p.m.	35°c	·
7.38.46 p.m. – 7.39.16 p.m.	35°c	·
Total time taken: 2h 17min 1s

Note: Time is time taken between opening the door of the microwave to closing the door of the microwave. The time of which the microwave door is opened is the correct timing; any human error is shown in the remarks.

Conclusion:

During the actual experiment, where 1.6l will be used, there may be a need to continually reheat the water so that the water would be able to reach, as far as possible, the boiling point of 100°c. Also, to prevent interference from external variables, temperature of the 1.6l of water in the microwave would be taken every 2½ hours.

I did this on the 7th of June. Just that I forgot to blog about it.