Jump to main content

Talk About a Bad Hair Day!

1
2
3
4
5
537 reviews

Summary

Areas of Science
Difficulty
 
Time Required
Short (2-5 days)
*Note: For this science project you will need to develop your own experimental procedure. Use the information in the summary tab as a starting place. If you would like to discuss your ideas or need help troubleshooting, use the Ask An Expert forum. Our Experts won't do the work for you, but they will make suggestions and offer guidance if you come to them with specific questions.

If you want a Project Idea with full instructions, please pick one without an asterisk (*) at the end of the title.

Abstract

Did you know that you can make a simple hygrometer (a device for measuring the relative humidity of the air) with hair? Search online for instructions to build one. Does the type of hair used in the hygrometer affect the accuracy of the results? Do some types of hair respond faster than others? Do some types of hair give a larger (or smaller) response? You could get hair samples from classmates, or a local beauty shop. Use hair samples of equal length to construct each hygrometer. To force changes in humidity, put a hygrometer in an air-tight container (e.g., a sealed refrigerator dish). To raise the humidity in the container, add an open cup of water. To lower the humidity, use an open container of dessicant. For each trial, keep the hygrometer in the container until the reading stabilizes. Conduct at least three trials with each hygrometer (more is better) to assure yourself that your results are consistent. (Nelson, 2004) Just think: after you do this project you'll know an instant hair-shortening treatment for next time Mom says it's time for a haircut! ;-)

Bibliography

Nelson, M.L., 2004. "Does Hair Type Affect Hygrometer Results?" California State Science Fair Project Abstract [accessed April 26, 2006] http://cssf.usc.edu/History/2004/Projects/J1130.pdf.
icon scientific method

Ask an Expert

Do you have specific questions about your science project? Our team of volunteer scientists can help. Our Experts won't do the work for you, but they will make suggestions, offer guidance, and help you troubleshoot.

Careers

If you like this project, you might enjoy exploring these related careers:

Career Profile
What makes it possible to create high-technology objects like computers and sports gear? It's the materials inside those products. Materials scientists and engineers develop materials, like metals, ceramics, polymers, and composites, that other engineers need for their designs. Materials scientists and engineers think atomically (meaning they understand things at the nanoscale level), but they design microscopically (at the level of a microscope), and their materials are used macroscopically… Read more
Career Profile
The atmosphere is a blanket of gases, surrounding Earth, that creates our weather. Meteorologists study the measurements and motion of the atmosphere, and changing events within it, so that they can predict the weather. This weather forecasting helps the general public and people who work in industries such as shipping, air transportation, agriculture, fishing, forestry, and water and power better plan for the weather, and reduce human and economic losses. Read more

News Feed on This Topic

 
, ,

Cite This Page

General citation information is provided here. Be sure to check the formatting, including capitalization, for the method you are using and update your citation, as needed.

MLA Style

Science Buddies Staff. "Talk About a Bad Hair Day!" Science Buddies, 20 Nov. 2020, https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project-ideas/MatlSci_p035/materials-science/humidity-hair-hygrometer. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

APA Style

Science Buddies Staff. (2020, November 20). Talk About a Bad Hair Day! Retrieved from https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project-ideas/MatlSci_p035/materials-science/humidity-hair-hygrometer


Last edit date: 2020-11-20
Top
We use cookies and those of third party providers to deliver the best possible web experience and to compile statistics.
By continuing and using the site, including the landing page, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
OK, got it
Free science fair projects.