13/06/2012 - Second Draft of Main Experiment

Plant Experiment #2:

Aim of Experiment:

To find out if microwaved water affects the germination and/or growth of the Brassica rapa

Apparatus:

·         8 yellow sponges

·         8 pink sponges

·         16 Brassica rapa seeds

·         1 500ml measuring cup

·         1 microwave

·         1 1.6l water kettle/boiler

·         1 ruler

·         1 microwaveable pot

·         Tap water

·         2 plastic containers

·         1 laboratory thermometer

·         Plastic foil

Steps of Experiment:

1.       Fill boiler with 1.6l of water.

2.       Measure out 400ml of water with the 500ml measuring cup.

3.       Transfer the measured water into the microwaveable pot.

4.       Repeat Steps 2 and 3 until there is 1.6l of water in the microwaveable pot.

5.       Transfer the microwaveable pot into the microwave oven.

6.       Turn the boiler and the microwave oven on.

7.       Switch off boiler once the water has finished boiling.

8.       Reheat the water in the microwave oven once the timer ends.

9.       Repeat Step 8 five more times; thus, the water would be heated 7 times.

10.   While waiting for the boiled and microwaved water to cool down in their respective locations, separate the 16 sponges into 2 groups of 8 each, with each group having 4 pink sponges and 4 yellow sponges.

11.   Set each Brassica rapa seed into the centre of the sponge.

12.   After 5h has passed, measure the temperature of the microwaved water.

13.   After 6½h has passed, measure the temperature of the boiled water (commence boiling 1½h before commencing microwaving of water).

14.   If the temperature of the water has not reached 35°c and below, allow water to cool down. Make reference to previous experiments on estimated waiting time.

15.   When boiled and microwaved water has cooled down sufficiently, transfer the boiled water to a plastic container while the microwaved water to the other.

16.   Soak a group of sponges in microwaved water.

17.   Lay them out on the plastic foil.

18.   Soak the second group of sponges in boiled water.

19.   Lay them out on the plastic foil.

20.   Observe sponges daily and record observations in journal.

21.   If the surfaces of the sponges become dry due to evaporation of water, soak the sponges in water again.

22.   Repeat Steps 1 to 19 a week later.