Science Project Question

[deleted-322390]

Hello. My project is experimenting on dew traps. I am having many trouble with step 7 of the procedure. I am at a disarray because the supply list never mentioned needing cones. I am also wondering where to put the cones and rocks and how to set this up. It would be very helpful if some one can break the directions down for me. The science fair is coming up soon, so I need help fast!

[SciB]

Hi Mana Lana,

Sorry for the confusion on step #7! They do not mean an actual physical cone, but rather that you push the plastic sheet down carefully in the center to form a conical SHAPE. This is so when the dew condenses on the plastic, it can run down the plastic and drip into the container that you put in the center of the hole. They say to put an egg-sized rock in the center of the plastic at the bottom of the cone to hold the shape. Make sure you have the plastic sheet tightly secured around the edges of the hole before you place the rock on it. You don't want to use such a heavy rock that the plastic is touching the container or the water may run down the outside and not be collected.

Are you testing more than one kind of trap or location? The Make-it-Your -Own section has several suggestions like putting a dew trap in the shade and comparing the amount of water collected to one in the sun. The directions say to use clear plastic. I wonder what would happen if you used black plastic? Black things absorb more heat from the sun than clear things so maybe the extra heat will evaporate more water from the soil.

Let us know how your dew trap works, ok?

Good luck!

Sybee

[deleted-322390]

Thank you for the clarification!!! You made this project much easier for me! I will let you know if it works out!

[SciB]

You are welcome, Lana! Glad I could help. I hope you try some of the variations on the dew trap.

Have fun!

Sybee