Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

The manure we used for this project was as fresh as could be ... watched the cow pass it. Could that be why our project is not producing any gas? This is our second round of the project and still no gas development. Any suggestions?

Hi,

How long have you waited? With this project, it can take a while to see results.
Also, did you make sure that your balloon was very secure on top of the bottle? It's very important that it fits snugly on top so that no gases can escape. It would also be worth checking to make sure that the bottle does not have any leaks in it.

Hi Ryan,

This is a great project.
https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... p027.shtml

Ivyh has given you some very good suggestions that may have helped solve the problem. The bacteria that produce gas from manure are obligate anaerobes, which means that they will not grow if there are any oxygen atoms around. Also, since they come from cows, they grow better at about 38 degrees Centigrade (101-103 degrees F). If you have been mixing your sample, then stop and leave it stationary. If the samples are outside in the cold, then move them to a location that’s is between 70 and 100 degrees F (but not warmer). You should see the balloons start to swell within 2-3 days if they have been incubating for a while. It's not necessary to start over again.

If you have an extra bottle and balloon available, you can make sure they are suitable for the experiment by mixing a tsp of baking soda and a tablespoon of vinegar and covering the bottle with the balloon as quickly as possible. The balloon should inflate immediately due to the carbon dioxide produced.

Good luck. If you don't see any gas by Wednesday or Thursday, let us know and we'll give suggestions for writing up your project with unexpected results. In the meantime, you should concentrate on completing the sections of your display board. You can do everything now except the results and conclusion section.

https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... oard.shtml


Donna Hardy