Measuring CO2 output

Ask questions about projects relating to: biology, biochemistry, genomics, microbiology, molecular biology, pharmacology/toxicology, zoology, human behavior, archeology, anthropology, political science, sociology, geology, environmental science, oceanography, seismology, weather, or atmosphere.

Moderators: AmyCowen, kgudger, MadelineB, Moderators

Locked
Quilter
Posts: 4
Joined: Mon Feb 13, 2017 12:48 pm
Occupation: Parent

Measuring CO2 output

Post by Quilter »

My son is interested in measuring the relative amounts of Co2 we breath out when we exercise vs when we relax. Is there an easy way to measure Co2 without an expensive piece of equipment? He thought he could use a lit match in a sample to see if it goes out faster in exercised air. Will that work?
catherineM99
Former Expert
Posts: 50
Joined: Sun Aug 14, 2016 4:41 pm
Occupation: Student

Re: Measuring CO2 output

Post by catherineM99 »

Hello,

This is a really good idea, however using the speed at which the lit match is extinguished by the test subject's breath to measure CO2 levels may not work in practice. This is because a flame is extinguished by the cooling effect of our breath and virtually any gas that is cooler than the flame. So the difference is CO2 levels when we are relaxed vs after exercise may not make a difference in the rate at which the flame is extinguished. Another way your son could go about this experiment is to measure the difference in respiration rate, since carbon dioxide is a product of respiration. To measure the respiration rate, you would count the breaths per minute, by counting the number of times the chest rises per minute. When resting, this should be about 12-16 breaths per minute, and of course after exercising this should be much higher. This method is also free!

Hope this helped,
C.M.
Quilter
Posts: 4
Joined: Mon Feb 13, 2017 12:48 pm
Occupation: Parent

Re: Measuring CO2 output

Post by Quilter »

He had wondered about respiration rate and in some early tests found that it was too variable with diferent people. Kids on sports teams increased their breathing rate less than other kids. He tried a few tests with the CO2 idea and got a little bit of data,=. His science teacher said it sort of shows something but not enough to be conclusive. Matches that took 15 secinds to burn out in a jar of air only took 8 to 10 seconds if the jar was full of exhale.

We'll keep digging! Thanks for the help.
Locked

Return to “Grades 9-12: Life, Earth, and Social Sciences”