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Hi Mr. Sybee,
One change in step 2. Instead of ordering Hyper Tough™ Infrared Thermometer from Walmart, hope I can get the below from Amazon. Please suggest.
ThermoPro TP01A Instant Read Meat Thermometer with Long Probe Digital Food Cooking Thermometer for Grilling BBQ Smoker Grill Kitchen Oil Candy Thermometer
Thanks,
Lakshita
Super-absorbent polymer prepared from orange peels
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Re: Help Needed: Experiment with Coccolithophorid Algae
Preparing orange peel mixture
1. 9 organic oranges were peeled including as much as pith as possible ( I will include more oranges if oranges are small) – Be sure to weigh the peels and pith so you know how much you started with.
Sure I will do. But I don’t think we record this information anywhere in the data table’s right? Hope this is just for my information and recording it in logbook.
When you write up your report you should break it down in sections like this:
Abstract
Introduction
Materials and Methods
Results
Discussion and Conclusions
This is the way most research papers are written so it is good for you to get familiar with the correct style as soon as possible. The starting weight of the peels and pith goes into the Materials and Methods section along with all the other weights and volumes and the sources, types and numbers of the oranges and avocadoes, and any other information, like the thermometer you used, the scale for weighing, the temperatures, and of course a detailed description of the procedures. You or someone else may want to be able to reproduce these experiments a year later, and you won’t be able to do it if you leave out some important details. If there are judges of your project, they may also like to refer to the Methods section if they have a question about how something was done.
2. 45 ml of organic lemon juice (measured using graduated cylinder) was added to the peels and left for 3 hours – At what temperature? The temperature of a solution is one of the independent variables that may be important. It is good to make a habit of recording the temp just in case you do need it.
Yes I will record the temperature. For recording temperature, I am planning to order: Hyper Tough™ Infrared Thermometer from Walmart. Please let me know if this fine. Also I don’t see using anywhere in this project, temperature as independent variable. Please correct me if I am wrong. Hope this is again just for my information and recording it in logbook.
It is always a good idea to record the temperature whether you need it or not, but especially when you are trying to dry something as in this case. I know the other student did not give temperatures, but you should. The thermometer you mention later with the probe would be useful for measuring the temp of the room air as well as of when you are heating liquids.
3. 300 ml of distilled water (measured using graduated cylinder) was added to the peels and lemon juice and boiled until the peels were cooked. (Time taken to get cooked to be noted) – “Time…to get cooked” is not a scientific term—just say that the peels and pith were simmered and give the time. You should start timing as soon as the liquid begins to simmer and continue until the peels have started to soften and record the time. I have no idea how long this should take.
Sure I will do.
/* I am ordering the below product from amazon for measuring
moveland 15-Piece Set Clear Plastic Graduated Cylinders and Beakers with 5 Transfer Pipettes and 1 Test Tube Brushes, Ideal for DIY and Science Lab */ - That’s good. It’s all things that you can use again for another project later.
Thanks.
4. The cooked mixture was then strained using sieve overnight and the liquid mixture collected in one beaker. Take 180 g of the orange peel strained solution in another beaker.
/* I am going to measure weight of the empty beaker on a food scale and pour the orange peel liquid into it using pipette until the orange peel strained solution weighs 180 grams */ - You can measure a solution by weight, but it is usual to measure the volume in mL. In your case, you can weigh out 180 g and also measure the volume.
Ok I will measure the liquid in ml. The cooked mixture was then strained using sieve overnight and the liquid mixture collected in one beaker. Take 180 ml of the orange peel strained solution in another beaker.
The straining of the orange peel solution is one of your independent variables because the absorbance of the resulting formulation may depend on some part of it that has to pass through the sieve. If your sieve is too fine or if you decided to filter it through a coffee filter, you might remove some part of the mixture that was necessary and end up with a preparation that was not absorbent. I do not know if this is true, I’m just saying that you need to be aware of details like this in your procedure because they might be important. Go ahead and use the common kitchen sieve that has a fairly fine (but not too fine) wire mesh. If you really wanted to be scientific, you could count the number of little mesh squares in one square inch of the sieve because that is how scientific sieves are graded.
5. 3 organic avocados were peeled and finely cut - I assume that you meant to say “…the peels were finely cut.”
Yes sorry I meant 3 organic avocado were peeled and the peels were finely cut
6. The cooked orange peels were finely cut and added to finely cut avocado peels. The mixture of peels was left in the sun for 14 days (If more time is needed the number of days to be noted and changed accordingly). - Be sure to protect the peels from insects or other hungry critters by covering the container with a fine screen that still lets the sun through. I would bring the peels in at night and if it looks like rain. Record the temp outside. If you live in a northern area it could be quite cold now. Drying the peels indoors in front of a sunny, south-facing window would be easier. Record the temp.
Yes I am planning to dry the peels indoors in a sunny area near the window. I am located in st.louis, MO. You mean recording the room temperature? I will do.
The important temperature is that of the peels themselves, so you could put the probe in the dish or plate with the peels. You should also record the temperature when the sun is not on the window or at night so you have some idea how much it varies. A scientist would also measure the relative humidity of the air by the window, but we’ll assume that it is low enough for the peels to dry without getting moldy.
7. 180 grams of the sun dried peels (measured using food scale) were added to 240 ml of the strained liquid and placed in conventional oven for 10 minutes at 350 degrees Celsius - I assume you meant 350 degrees Fahrenheit because 350 deg C would be 660 deg F, which would incinerate the peels. When you say “…sun-dried peels…” here, do you mean orange + avocado peels or just orange?
Yes sorry I meant 350 deg F. Yes sun dried peels I meant orange + avocado peels dried in sun.
The crushed peels forms orange peel powder - At this point I thought you had a mixture of orange AND avocado peels?
Crushed peel powder – I meant combination of sun dried peels + strained liquid placed in conventional oven and dried.
I don’t understand. When are you crushing the peels into a powder and how are you doing that? You said sun-dried peels were added to the liquid in #7. Is that correct? And then, after evaporating all the liquid in the oven, you crushed everything to a powder—correct? How did you do that?
8. 120 grams of the crushed powder was added to 60 grams of plain sun dried avocado and orange peels to form orange peel mixture. - Now I’m confused. What is the powder? Dried, powdered orange peel?
Crushed peel powder – I meant combination of sun dried peels + strained liquid placed in conventional oven and dried from step 7
Plain sun dried avocado and orange peel powder is from step 6 - I thought #6 was just sun drying. Step #7 is the oven drying and then the powdering—correct?
Step 7 + step 6 forms orange peel mixture
1. 9 organic oranges were peeled including as much as pith as possible ( I will include more oranges if oranges are small) – Be sure to weigh the peels and pith so you know how much you started with.
Sure I will do. But I don’t think we record this information anywhere in the data table’s right? Hope this is just for my information and recording it in logbook.
When you write up your report you should break it down in sections like this:
Abstract
Introduction
Materials and Methods
Results
Discussion and Conclusions
This is the way most research papers are written so it is good for you to get familiar with the correct style as soon as possible. The starting weight of the peels and pith goes into the Materials and Methods section along with all the other weights and volumes and the sources, types and numbers of the oranges and avocadoes, and any other information, like the thermometer you used, the scale for weighing, the temperatures, and of course a detailed description of the procedures. You or someone else may want to be able to reproduce these experiments a year later, and you won’t be able to do it if you leave out some important details. If there are judges of your project, they may also like to refer to the Methods section if they have a question about how something was done.
2. 45 ml of organic lemon juice (measured using graduated cylinder) was added to the peels and left for 3 hours – At what temperature? The temperature of a solution is one of the independent variables that may be important. It is good to make a habit of recording the temp just in case you do need it.
Yes I will record the temperature. For recording temperature, I am planning to order: Hyper Tough™ Infrared Thermometer from Walmart. Please let me know if this fine. Also I don’t see using anywhere in this project, temperature as independent variable. Please correct me if I am wrong. Hope this is again just for my information and recording it in logbook.
It is always a good idea to record the temperature whether you need it or not, but especially when you are trying to dry something as in this case. I know the other student did not give temperatures, but you should. The thermometer you mention later with the probe would be useful for measuring the temp of the room air as well as of when you are heating liquids.
3. 300 ml of distilled water (measured using graduated cylinder) was added to the peels and lemon juice and boiled until the peels were cooked. (Time taken to get cooked to be noted) – “Time…to get cooked” is not a scientific term—just say that the peels and pith were simmered and give the time. You should start timing as soon as the liquid begins to simmer and continue until the peels have started to soften and record the time. I have no idea how long this should take.
Sure I will do.
/* I am ordering the below product from amazon for measuring
moveland 15-Piece Set Clear Plastic Graduated Cylinders and Beakers with 5 Transfer Pipettes and 1 Test Tube Brushes, Ideal for DIY and Science Lab */ - That’s good. It’s all things that you can use again for another project later.
Thanks.
4. The cooked mixture was then strained using sieve overnight and the liquid mixture collected in one beaker. Take 180 g of the orange peel strained solution in another beaker.
/* I am going to measure weight of the empty beaker on a food scale and pour the orange peel liquid into it using pipette until the orange peel strained solution weighs 180 grams */ - You can measure a solution by weight, but it is usual to measure the volume in mL. In your case, you can weigh out 180 g and also measure the volume.
Ok I will measure the liquid in ml. The cooked mixture was then strained using sieve overnight and the liquid mixture collected in one beaker. Take 180 ml of the orange peel strained solution in another beaker.
The straining of the orange peel solution is one of your independent variables because the absorbance of the resulting formulation may depend on some part of it that has to pass through the sieve. If your sieve is too fine or if you decided to filter it through a coffee filter, you might remove some part of the mixture that was necessary and end up with a preparation that was not absorbent. I do not know if this is true, I’m just saying that you need to be aware of details like this in your procedure because they might be important. Go ahead and use the common kitchen sieve that has a fairly fine (but not too fine) wire mesh. If you really wanted to be scientific, you could count the number of little mesh squares in one square inch of the sieve because that is how scientific sieves are graded.
5. 3 organic avocados were peeled and finely cut - I assume that you meant to say “…the peels were finely cut.”
Yes sorry I meant 3 organic avocado were peeled and the peels were finely cut
6. The cooked orange peels were finely cut and added to finely cut avocado peels. The mixture of peels was left in the sun for 14 days (If more time is needed the number of days to be noted and changed accordingly). - Be sure to protect the peels from insects or other hungry critters by covering the container with a fine screen that still lets the sun through. I would bring the peels in at night and if it looks like rain. Record the temp outside. If you live in a northern area it could be quite cold now. Drying the peels indoors in front of a sunny, south-facing window would be easier. Record the temp.
Yes I am planning to dry the peels indoors in a sunny area near the window. I am located in st.louis, MO. You mean recording the room temperature? I will do.
The important temperature is that of the peels themselves, so you could put the probe in the dish or plate with the peels. You should also record the temperature when the sun is not on the window or at night so you have some idea how much it varies. A scientist would also measure the relative humidity of the air by the window, but we’ll assume that it is low enough for the peels to dry without getting moldy.
7. 180 grams of the sun dried peels (measured using food scale) were added to 240 ml of the strained liquid and placed in conventional oven for 10 minutes at 350 degrees Celsius - I assume you meant 350 degrees Fahrenheit because 350 deg C would be 660 deg F, which would incinerate the peels. When you say “…sun-dried peels…” here, do you mean orange + avocado peels or just orange?
Yes sorry I meant 350 deg F. Yes sun dried peels I meant orange + avocado peels dried in sun.
The crushed peels forms orange peel powder - At this point I thought you had a mixture of orange AND avocado peels?
Crushed peel powder – I meant combination of sun dried peels + strained liquid placed in conventional oven and dried.
I don’t understand. When are you crushing the peels into a powder and how are you doing that? You said sun-dried peels were added to the liquid in #7. Is that correct? And then, after evaporating all the liquid in the oven, you crushed everything to a powder—correct? How did you do that?
8. 120 grams of the crushed powder was added to 60 grams of plain sun dried avocado and orange peels to form orange peel mixture. - Now I’m confused. What is the powder? Dried, powdered orange peel?
Crushed peel powder – I meant combination of sun dried peels + strained liquid placed in conventional oven and dried from step 7
Plain sun dried avocado and orange peel powder is from step 6 - I thought #6 was just sun drying. Step #7 is the oven drying and then the powdering—correct?
Step 7 + step 6 forms orange peel mixture
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Re: Help Needed: Experiment with Coccolithophorid Algae
Hi Mr. Sybee,
Thanks so much. I noted down all the points you mentioned for preparing orange peel mixture. To make it simpler, first sun dried orange + avocado peels are crushed to powder using mixer. This powder is added to the strained liquid and placed in the oven to evaporate all liquid and the resulting mixture is again crushed to powder using mixer. The final crushed powder is orange peel mixture.
Please correct me if I am wrong.
Thanks,
Lakshita
Thanks so much. I noted down all the points you mentioned for preparing orange peel mixture. To make it simpler, first sun dried orange + avocado peels are crushed to powder using mixer. This powder is added to the strained liquid and placed in the oven to evaporate all liquid and the resulting mixture is again crushed to powder using mixer. The final crushed powder is orange peel mixture.
Please correct me if I am wrong.
Thanks,
Lakshita
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Re: Help Needed: Experiment with Coccolithophorid Algae
Hi Mr.Sybee,
Please also clarify if below product from amazon works for sodium polyacrylate (SPA). I saw in Amazon they are selling in powder form instead of we getting from absorbent diapers. Please clarify so I can order. I saw this absorbs 400 to 700 times as much water as their own weight. Once you confirm based on this I will write the water retention procedure and send you for your validation.
Newstone Sodium Polyacrylate - Superabsorbent Diaper Polymer (White, 0.38mm granulars, 450g,15.8oz, 1 lbs.)
Thanks,
Lakshita
Please also clarify if below product from amazon works for sodium polyacrylate (SPA). I saw in Amazon they are selling in powder form instead of we getting from absorbent diapers. Please clarify so I can order. I saw this absorbs 400 to 700 times as much water as their own weight. Once you confirm based on this I will write the water retention procedure and send you for your validation.
Newstone Sodium Polyacrylate - Superabsorbent Diaper Polymer (White, 0.38mm granulars, 450g,15.8oz, 1 lbs.)
Thanks,
Lakshita
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Re: Help Needed: Experiment with Coccolithophorid Algae
Hi Lakshita,
You are making great progress on your project--congratulations!
Your procedure is now clearer, but I think it would be better if you called the final product orange/avocado peel powder so that there is no question in the viewer's mind as to what you are talking about.
You followed the procedure of the other student, but if I remember right, she did not explain how she came up with the recipe. A judge or interested person may ask you what the purpose of a certain step is and you need to have an answer. Citrus peels contain pectin, correct? And pectin is a natural polymer that can absorb water, so that would explain the use of orange peels; but, what is the purpose of the avocado peels? Do they also contain pectin? Why use both orange and avocado? What is the purpose of adding water to the dried peels and simmering the mixture and then drying and powdering it? Why not just mix orange and avocado peels, dry them and grind them to a powder?
The SPA from Amazon sounds like exactly the same as what is in diapers, so I would go ahead and order it and use it. Just be careful to keep it from absorbing any dampness from the air. If it is in a plastic bag, I would transfer it to a a glass mason jar with an airtight rubber gasket and ring, the same kind as is used for canning fruits and vegetables.
Please send your Methods section and I will go over it and make corrections. I am a scientific editor of papers for journal publications, so I correct English mistakes and language problems every day. I will make corrections on your writing and suggest how to make it clearer. I am a native English speaker and have been a writer and editor for more years than I care to admit. Clear, direct, readable English is my goal for every paper, so think simple but with all the details so the reader knows exactly why you did this project, how you did it and what you discovered. Use the spell/grammar checker in Word and correct the errors it indicates. Always read your paper over a couple of times because I guarantee you won't find all the errors on the first reading, or even the second and third sometimes.
All the best,
Sybee
You are making great progress on your project--congratulations!
Your procedure is now clearer, but I think it would be better if you called the final product orange/avocado peel powder so that there is no question in the viewer's mind as to what you are talking about.
You followed the procedure of the other student, but if I remember right, she did not explain how she came up with the recipe. A judge or interested person may ask you what the purpose of a certain step is and you need to have an answer. Citrus peels contain pectin, correct? And pectin is a natural polymer that can absorb water, so that would explain the use of orange peels; but, what is the purpose of the avocado peels? Do they also contain pectin? Why use both orange and avocado? What is the purpose of adding water to the dried peels and simmering the mixture and then drying and powdering it? Why not just mix orange and avocado peels, dry them and grind them to a powder?
The SPA from Amazon sounds like exactly the same as what is in diapers, so I would go ahead and order it and use it. Just be careful to keep it from absorbing any dampness from the air. If it is in a plastic bag, I would transfer it to a a glass mason jar with an airtight rubber gasket and ring, the same kind as is used for canning fruits and vegetables.
Please send your Methods section and I will go over it and make corrections. I am a scientific editor of papers for journal publications, so I correct English mistakes and language problems every day. I will make corrections on your writing and suggest how to make it clearer. I am a native English speaker and have been a writer and editor for more years than I care to admit. Clear, direct, readable English is my goal for every paper, so think simple but with all the details so the reader knows exactly why you did this project, how you did it and what you discovered. Use the spell/grammar checker in Word and correct the errors it indicates. Always read your paper over a couple of times because I guarantee you won't find all the errors on the first reading, or even the second and third sometimes.
All the best,
Sybee
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Re: Super-absorbent polymer prepared from orange peels
Hi Mr, Sybee,
Thanks so much for your ideas.
- Sure once I do the experiment, I will start writing the procedure for board. I will send you. It is really great to know your expertise in editing and I am lucky to have you check my document before I take for the competition. Thanks again. Also I will make sure to edit before I send you.
- So instead of mentioning biodegradable SAP as orange peel mixture ( I will call as Orange/avocado peel powder).
- Below is her explanation to explain how/why she came with this SAP.
Regarding why the recipe is selected, Pectin a gelling agent which is a natural polymer is extracted from peels of most citrus fruits (that is why we use orange peels here which contain 73% of pectin). Orange peels also contain 63% of polysaccharide (type of polymeric carbohydrate). Lemon juice is added to neutralize the negatively charged polysaccharide strands.
One single avocado peel contains 54% of natural oils. Emulsion polymerization is when some type of oil is taken and added to a substance to react the monomer molecules into chains. The avocado peels cut into small pieces release natural oils which could react the molecules into forming polymer chains.
- Sure I will order the SAP from amazon and store it as you recommended
- When I talked to my science teachers about this project, they mentioned it would be always nice to use 3 independent variables. In our experiment, independent variable is the type of the SAP (only 2 are compared acrylic vs orange avocado peel powder). We have dropped pectin /starch from her experiment. Can you please suggest on this. Guess science fair would be expecting to test minimum 3 IV’s.
Thanks,
Lakshita
Thanks so much for your ideas.
- Sure once I do the experiment, I will start writing the procedure for board. I will send you. It is really great to know your expertise in editing and I am lucky to have you check my document before I take for the competition. Thanks again. Also I will make sure to edit before I send you.
- So instead of mentioning biodegradable SAP as orange peel mixture ( I will call as Orange/avocado peel powder).
- Below is her explanation to explain how/why she came with this SAP.
Regarding why the recipe is selected, Pectin a gelling agent which is a natural polymer is extracted from peels of most citrus fruits (that is why we use orange peels here which contain 73% of pectin). Orange peels also contain 63% of polysaccharide (type of polymeric carbohydrate). Lemon juice is added to neutralize the negatively charged polysaccharide strands.
One single avocado peel contains 54% of natural oils. Emulsion polymerization is when some type of oil is taken and added to a substance to react the monomer molecules into chains. The avocado peels cut into small pieces release natural oils which could react the molecules into forming polymer chains.
- Sure I will order the SAP from amazon and store it as you recommended
- When I talked to my science teachers about this project, they mentioned it would be always nice to use 3 independent variables. In our experiment, independent variable is the type of the SAP (only 2 are compared acrylic vs orange avocado peel powder). We have dropped pectin /starch from her experiment. Can you please suggest on this. Guess science fair would be expecting to test minimum 3 IV’s.
Thanks,
Lakshita
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Re: Super-absorbent polymer prepared from orange peels
Good progress again, Lakshita--cheers!
The explanation for the use of avocado peels as a source of oil is a little vague to my mind. Oils (hydrophobic--look it up to find out what this means) do not interact with water-based compounds like polysaccharides (hydrophilic).
"One single avocado peel contains 54% of natural oils. Emulsion polymerization is when some type of oil is taken and added to a substance to react the monomer molecules into chains. The avocado peels cut into small pieces release natural oils which could react the molecules into forming polymer chains." Do some research on emulsion polymerization and see if you can explain better how the oils from avocado help to produce a more absorbent polymer.
"Lemon juice is added to neutralize the negatively charged polysaccharide strands." Lemon juice contains citric acid which can neutralize a solution that has a pH greater than 7. The pH of a solution can affect other molecules, like polysaccharides and that is what you are suggesting. Remember that molecules in a water solution interact with each other as well as with water and I think this may be one of the most important chemical features that determine the absorbancy of the orange/avocado ('orancado' ?) powder.
https://www.intechopen.com/books/solubi ... solubility
As to increasing the independent variables--yes, that can be good because it gives you more data, but you have to be careful and not make the procedure so complicated that it becomes unworkable. As I mentioned in an earlier post, there are several independent variables that you need to consider, like the amount of orancado you use for a certain amount of water, the temperature of the water and the length of time that you allow the polymer to take up water. I would just concentrate on getting good, statistically testable (VERY important!) data comparing SPA to orancado.
I was forgetting that one purpose of the SAP was as a soil additive to retain water. Were you planning on doing that? That would add a lot of interest to your project as an example of a practical use, but it would also be a lot of extra work. If you want another indie variable, the effect of adding orancado to soil on plant growth would be a good one, but keep in mind the amount of time it takes to grow plants--a month at least.
OK. That's enough for now. I'll be waiting for your next round of questions and comments.
All the best,
Sybee
The explanation for the use of avocado peels as a source of oil is a little vague to my mind. Oils (hydrophobic--look it up to find out what this means) do not interact with water-based compounds like polysaccharides (hydrophilic).
"One single avocado peel contains 54% of natural oils. Emulsion polymerization is when some type of oil is taken and added to a substance to react the monomer molecules into chains. The avocado peels cut into small pieces release natural oils which could react the molecules into forming polymer chains." Do some research on emulsion polymerization and see if you can explain better how the oils from avocado help to produce a more absorbent polymer.
"Lemon juice is added to neutralize the negatively charged polysaccharide strands." Lemon juice contains citric acid which can neutralize a solution that has a pH greater than 7. The pH of a solution can affect other molecules, like polysaccharides and that is what you are suggesting. Remember that molecules in a water solution interact with each other as well as with water and I think this may be one of the most important chemical features that determine the absorbancy of the orange/avocado ('orancado' ?) powder.
https://www.intechopen.com/books/solubi ... solubility
As to increasing the independent variables--yes, that can be good because it gives you more data, but you have to be careful and not make the procedure so complicated that it becomes unworkable. As I mentioned in an earlier post, there are several independent variables that you need to consider, like the amount of orancado you use for a certain amount of water, the temperature of the water and the length of time that you allow the polymer to take up water. I would just concentrate on getting good, statistically testable (VERY important!) data comparing SPA to orancado.
I was forgetting that one purpose of the SAP was as a soil additive to retain water. Were you planning on doing that? That would add a lot of interest to your project as an example of a practical use, but it would also be a lot of extra work. If you want another indie variable, the effect of adding orancado to soil on plant growth would be a good one, but keep in mind the amount of time it takes to grow plants--a month at least.
OK. That's enough for now. I'll be waiting for your next round of questions and comments.
All the best,
Sybee
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Re: Super-absorbent polymer prepared from orange peels
Oh...by the way, I forgot to mention that I asked the moderator of the forum to change the title of the thread so that it accurately states what your project is about. This way people looking at the posts won't be confused by a title about algae that has nothing to do with your current project.
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Re: Super-absorbent polymer prepared from orange peels
Hi Mr.Willey,
Thanks so much for your clarifications. While doing research on your last post, I came across potassium polyacrylate SAP. What we discussed before is sodium polyacrylate (used in diapers).
From my research I found,
-Potassium polyacrylate contains potassium element–which is helpful for plants and can improve the structure.
–Sodium polyacrylate contains sodium element–which is useless for plants and will give rise to soil hardening.
Does that mean we should not use sodium polyacrylate for our experiment.
I found the below links for potassium polyacrylate:
1. https://www.homesciencetools.com/produc ... gIQW_D_BwE#
2. 2.2 lb Root Soil Moist Water Crystals Water Gel Water Retention SAP Super Absorbent Polymer (Potassium POLYACRYLATE) (Water Crystal Science Teaching)
Please suggest so I can change my procedure and order potassium polyacrylate SAP.
Thanks,
Lakshita
Thanks so much for your clarifications. While doing research on your last post, I came across potassium polyacrylate SAP. What we discussed before is sodium polyacrylate (used in diapers).
From my research I found,
-Potassium polyacrylate contains potassium element–which is helpful for plants and can improve the structure.
–Sodium polyacrylate contains sodium element–which is useless for plants and will give rise to soil hardening.
Does that mean we should not use sodium polyacrylate for our experiment.
I found the below links for potassium polyacrylate:
1. https://www.homesciencetools.com/produc ... gIQW_D_BwE#
2. 2.2 lb Root Soil Moist Water Crystals Water Gel Water Retention SAP Super Absorbent Polymer (Potassium POLYACRYLATE) (Water Crystal Science Teaching)
Please suggest so I can change my procedure and order potassium polyacrylate SAP.
Thanks,
Lakshita
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Re: Super-absorbent polymer prepared from orange peels
Hi Lakshita,
Potassium polyacrylate would be just as absorbent as SPA and as you said, it would provide some nutrients to the plants.
Be sure to send me your write-up of experimental procedures so I can check it. If you have any questions, write them down as soon as you think of them and post them. I want you to be clear on all the details so you will be able to correctly answer any questions that the judges ask.
Sybee
Potassium polyacrylate would be just as absorbent as SPA and as you said, it would provide some nutrients to the plants.
Be sure to send me your write-up of experimental procedures so I can check it. If you have any questions, write them down as soon as you think of them and post them. I want you to be clear on all the details so you will be able to correctly answer any questions that the judges ask.
Sybee
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Re: Super-absorbent polymer prepared from orange peels
Hi Mr.Sybee,
Sure I will send you the procedure steps. I will start writing in December. Will send you as soon as I complete and write each experiment.
So guess I can use potassium polyacrylate inside of sodium acrylate right? Can I order the below item from Amazon.
2.2 lb Root Soil Moist Water Crystals Water Gel Water Retention SAP Super Absorbent Polymer (Potassium POLYACRYLATE) (Water Crystal Science Teaching)
Please confirm so I can ask my mom to order.
Thanks,
Lakshita
Sure I will send you the procedure steps. I will start writing in December. Will send you as soon as I complete and write each experiment.
So guess I can use potassium polyacrylate inside of sodium acrylate right? Can I order the below item from Amazon.
2.2 lb Root Soil Moist Water Crystals Water Gel Water Retention SAP Super Absorbent Polymer (Potassium POLYACRYLATE) (Water Crystal Science Teaching)
Please confirm so I can ask my mom to order.
Thanks,
Lakshita
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Re: Super-absorbent polymer prepared from orange peels
Hi Mr.Sybee,
On doing further research for most of the science experiments, they have used sodium polyacrylate from diapers. So I guess I can go with that. But let me know your thoughts as well.
Thanks,
Lakshita
On doing further research for most of the science experiments, they have used sodium polyacrylate from diapers. So I guess I can go with that. But let me know your thoughts as well.
Thanks,
Lakshita
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Re: Super-absorbent polymer prepared from orange peels
Hi Lakshita,
The important part of the absorbent molecule is the polyacrylate part. Sodium and potassium are quite similar chemically and should make no difference in the absorbability of the compound. The polyacrylate is the positive control, which means that you know that it is very water-absorbent. That is why you compare the orancado powder to it.
I would use the potassium polyacrylate crystals that you found from Amazon because they are advertised as a soil amendment for retaining water and that is how you will be testing your preparation.
Keep reading and asking questions.
Cheers,
Sybee
The important part of the absorbent molecule is the polyacrylate part. Sodium and potassium are quite similar chemically and should make no difference in the absorbability of the compound. The polyacrylate is the positive control, which means that you know that it is very water-absorbent. That is why you compare the orancado powder to it.
I would use the potassium polyacrylate crystals that you found from Amazon because they are advertised as a soil amendment for retaining water and that is how you will be testing your preparation.
Keep reading and asking questions.
Cheers,
Sybee
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Re: Super-absorbent polymer prepared from orange peels
Hi Mr.Sybee,
Thanks for your reply. Sure I will order potassium polyacrylate as you suggested. I didn't make much progress on science fair for the past 1 week due to academic workload
. Will post you with my clarifications this week.
Thanks,
Lakshita
Thanks for your reply. Sure I will order potassium polyacrylate as you suggested. I didn't make much progress on science fair for the past 1 week due to academic workload
. Will post you with my clarifications this week. Thanks,
Lakshita
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Re: Super-absorbent polymer prepared from orange peels
Hi Lakshita,
Good to hear from you again. I was wondering how you were doing. I truly understand that you have lots of other courses that need your attention, just keep an eye on the timeline for your experiments so you don't run short. I will be waiting to hear from you when you have more time.
All the best,
Sybee
Good to hear from you again. I was wondering how you were doing. I truly understand that you have lots of other courses that need your attention, just keep an eye on the timeline for your experiments so you don't run short. I will be waiting to hear from you when you have more time.
All the best,
Sybee
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Re: Super-absorbent polymer prepared from orange peels
Hi Mr.Sybee,
Yes I was having lot of tests . Due date for the project is Feb end. I have concentrate more during December holidays. I was doing some research on the background information and why we are pursuing this experiment to put into my log book. I am attaching herewith what I found so far. I am struck in finding the details for:
Why avocado peels are mixed with orange peels during the process of preparing orange peel powder super absorbent polymer?
I see Kiara mentioned the reason as Emulsion polymerization.
I googled to learn the types of polymerization as they are not still covered in school syllabus. Please find below what I found so far:
- For polymerization it is required that the monomer molecule is capable of being linked to two (or more) other molecules of monomer by chemical reaction (functionality).
- Classification of polymerization are based on comparison of the molecular formed of a polymer with that of the monomer from which it was formed.
- Emulsion polymerization is a form of heterogeneous free radical chain polymerization, where hydrophobic polymer particles are formed in an aqueous dispersion medium
- Method of Emulsion polymerization:
Monomer molecules and free-radical initiators are added to a water-based emulsion bath along with soap like materials known as surfactants, or surface-acting agents. The surfactant molecules, composed of a hydrophilic (water-attracting) and hydrophobic (water-repelling) end, form a stabilizing emulsion before polymerization by coating the monomer droplets. Other surfactant molecules clump together into smaller aggregates called micelles, which also absorb monomer molecules. Polymerization occurs when initiators migrate into the micelles, inducing the monomer molecules to form large molecules that make up the latex particle.
I am also attaching the diagram herewith.
My clarification is : Why avocado peels are mixed with orange peels during the process of preparing orange peel powder super absorbent polymer?
Avacado peels release oil. We extract Pectin from orange peels. So is it oil in water emulsion polymerization. I think Pectin acts as emulsifier. Can you please clarify in depth how pectin with oil emulsion polymerization occurs? I am confused of what acts as surfactants and the method.
I am trying to think how this polymerization works while preparing our orange peel powder SAP.
Thanks for all your help and time.
Lakshita
Yes I was having lot of tests
. Due date for the project is Feb end. I have concentrate more during December holidays. I was doing some research on the background information and why we are pursuing this experiment to put into my log book. I am attaching herewith what I found so far. I am struck in finding the details for: Why avocado peels are mixed with orange peels during the process of preparing orange peel powder super absorbent polymer?
I see Kiara mentioned the reason as Emulsion polymerization.
I googled to learn the types of polymerization as they are not still covered in school syllabus. Please find below what I found so far:
- For polymerization it is required that the monomer molecule is capable of being linked to two (or more) other molecules of monomer by chemical reaction (functionality).
- Classification of polymerization are based on comparison of the molecular formed of a polymer with that of the monomer from which it was formed.
- Emulsion polymerization is a form of heterogeneous free radical chain polymerization, where hydrophobic polymer particles are formed in an aqueous dispersion medium
- Method of Emulsion polymerization:
Monomer molecules and free-radical initiators are added to a water-based emulsion bath along with soap like materials known as surfactants, or surface-acting agents. The surfactant molecules, composed of a hydrophilic (water-attracting) and hydrophobic (water-repelling) end, form a stabilizing emulsion before polymerization by coating the monomer droplets. Other surfactant molecules clump together into smaller aggregates called micelles, which also absorb monomer molecules. Polymerization occurs when initiators migrate into the micelles, inducing the monomer molecules to form large molecules that make up the latex particle.
I am also attaching the diagram herewith.
My clarification is : Why avocado peels are mixed with orange peels during the process of preparing orange peel powder super absorbent polymer?
Avacado peels release oil. We extract Pectin from orange peels. So is it oil in water emulsion polymerization. I think Pectin acts as emulsifier. Can you please clarify in depth how pectin with oil emulsion polymerization occurs? I am confused of what acts as surfactants and the method.
I am trying to think how this polymerization works while preparing our orange peel powder SAP.
Thanks for all your help and time.
Lakshita
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Re: Super-absorbent polymer prepared from orange peels
Those are all tough questions, Lakshita, and I don't have good answers for you (yet). I think you are basically correct in reasoning that the process must be one of emulsion polymerization, but you will not be able to claim anything positively because you don't have any data to prove it. Speculation on a possible mechanism is what leads scientists to formulate more hypotheses to test. Each one builds on the previous ones and you hope that eventually you will hit on something close to the truth.
Citrus peels contain 30% pectin (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pectin) and are the major commercial source of pectin. Pectin is a polysaccharide consisting of a chain of sugar units (monomers) of various types. The dried orange peels would be the source of the polymer in your experiment, but as you said, pectin can also act as an emulsifier. Normally oils like avocado will stay separate from water because the two are chemically different. But, if you include a chemical that has one end hydrophobic (likes oil) and the other end hydrophilic (likes water) in the mixture, it will hold onto the oil and keep it emulsified in water.
OK, but what does the avocado oil do in the scheme of making a super-absorbent polymer? The short answer is--I don't know! But, based on the information you found, I could speculate that the avocado oil together with pectin forms what are called micelles (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Micelle)--very small molecular containers that are hydrophilic on the outside and hydrophobic on the inside. Somehow these micelles act as sites for emulsion polymerization (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emulsion_polymerization) that may create super-long pectin polymers that are able to absorb a lot of water.
All this speculation is based on evidence from the literature and so is legitimate to use in building hypotheses, but remember that is only suggestive. You can't say that for sure this is the purpose of adding the dried avocado, but it is the best guess based on the facts as published by other scientists. Testing these hypotheses would take a long time and some creative experiment design. A judge might ask you how you would prove that your speculations are correct as to the purpose of the components of your formula, and you can just say that you would have to test each part individually to measure its effect on a particular step. The details can be worked out later.
I hope I have helped you to better understand the chemistry involved here. You are not expected to have a college-level understanding of this experiment but the more you know the easier it is to answer questions--and I can help you with that. So keep posting!
Good luck!
Sybee
Citrus peels contain 30% pectin (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pectin) and are the major commercial source of pectin. Pectin is a polysaccharide consisting of a chain of sugar units (monomers) of various types. The dried orange peels would be the source of the polymer in your experiment, but as you said, pectin can also act as an emulsifier. Normally oils like avocado will stay separate from water because the two are chemically different. But, if you include a chemical that has one end hydrophobic (likes oil) and the other end hydrophilic (likes water) in the mixture, it will hold onto the oil and keep it emulsified in water.
OK, but what does the avocado oil do in the scheme of making a super-absorbent polymer? The short answer is--I don't know! But, based on the information you found, I could speculate that the avocado oil together with pectin forms what are called micelles (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Micelle)--very small molecular containers that are hydrophilic on the outside and hydrophobic on the inside. Somehow these micelles act as sites for emulsion polymerization (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emulsion_polymerization) that may create super-long pectin polymers that are able to absorb a lot of water.
All this speculation is based on evidence from the literature and so is legitimate to use in building hypotheses, but remember that is only suggestive. You can't say that for sure this is the purpose of adding the dried avocado, but it is the best guess based on the facts as published by other scientists. Testing these hypotheses would take a long time and some creative experiment design. A judge might ask you how you would prove that your speculations are correct as to the purpose of the components of your formula, and you can just say that you would have to test each part individually to measure its effect on a particular step. The details can be worked out later.
I hope I have helped you to better understand the chemistry involved here. You are not expected to have a college-level understanding of this experiment but the more you know the easier it is to answer questions--and I can help you with that. So keep posting!
Good luck!
Sybee
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Re: Super-absorbent polymer prepared from orange peels
Thanks so much Mr.Sybee. Without your guidance I would have gone this much in this project. I will go over your explanation in detail and put everything together so it is easy for me to understand.
Thanks,
Lakshita
Thanks,
Lakshita
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Re: Super-absorbent polymer prepared from orange peels
You are so welcome, Lakshita. I am very happy to be able to help you understand the science and methods of your project. If you have any questions, make a note of them and post them so I can senound d you a reply.
The global warming trend is continuing and the UN report just published showed that the developed countries are not doing enough to curb CO2 and other emissions as temperatures keep rising. As glaciers disappear and rain patterns change, water shortages are bound to occur in farming areas with potentially disastrous results. Your cheap, natural water-absorbent material could help a farmer keep his crops growing well even in a drought by holding water in the soil.
I have a lot of hope that the youth of the world, like the 16 year-old Swedish student, Greta Thunberg, will join together to push for more rapid and comprehensive changes in carbon emissions. It will be their world and I am cheered by their serious interest in reversing the looming catastrophe. Your science project could be a game-changer for people in water-poor areas.
Best wishes,
Sybee
The global warming trend is continuing and the UN report just published showed that the developed countries are not doing enough to curb CO2 and other emissions as temperatures keep rising. As glaciers disappear and rain patterns change, water shortages are bound to occur in farming areas with potentially disastrous results. Your cheap, natural water-absorbent material could help a farmer keep his crops growing well even in a drought by holding water in the soil.
I have a lot of hope that the youth of the world, like the 16 year-old Swedish student, Greta Thunberg, will join together to push for more rapid and comprehensive changes in carbon emissions. It will be their world and I am cheered by their serious interest in reversing the looming catastrophe. Your science project could be a game-changer for people in water-poor areas.
Best wishes,
Sybee
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Re: Super-absorbent polymer prepared from orange peels
Hi Mr.Sybee,
Thanks again for your compliments. I have been doing Environmental projects starting from my 4th grade and I love that subject. I am glad each time I am selecting something new, for me to learn as well. I started preparing orange peel SAP this Thanks giving holidays. Still in the process of drying. I will keep you posted with my findings and further clarifications.
I am planning to write the rough draft of the procedure (first 2 experiments – water retention experiment and effect of soil moisture) this week. I will post it to you so you can verify and let me know if the steps are correct. Once you validate I will proceed with that experiments after orange peel SAP is ready.
Thanks,
Lakshita
Thanks again for your compliments. I have been doing Environmental projects starting from my 4th grade and I love that subject. I am glad each time I am selecting something new, for me to learn as well. I started preparing orange peel SAP this Thanks giving holidays. Still in the process of drying. I will keep you posted with my findings and further clarifications.
I am planning to write the rough draft of the procedure (first 2 experiments – water retention experiment and effect of soil moisture) this week. I will post it to you so you can verify and let me know if the steps are correct. Once you validate I will proceed with that experiments after orange peel SAP is ready.
Thanks,
Lakshita
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Re: Super-absorbent polymer prepared from orange peels
That sounds like a good plan, Lakshita. Just make sure that you order whatever you need now to avoid delays later.
Also, take pictures of your orange peel and avocado preparations as you go along. You could print the photos and show them on your display board and in the report.
Any questions--ask away.
Sybee
Also, take pictures of your orange peel and avocado preparations as you go along. You could print the photos and show them on your display board and in the report.
Any questions--ask away.
Sybee
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Re: Super-absorbent polymer prepared from orange peels
Hi Mr.Sybee,
Thanks for all your wishes. Project is coming good. I did the first step and took step by step photos as you mentioned. Peels are almost dry. I am planning to give another 1 week to start my next step. We bought all the materials needed included greenhouse. Thanks for all your help.
I have a clarification on water retention experiment.
- Potassium polyacrylate I got, absorbs 500 times its original weight. I am planning to take 2 grams of each SAP and add water to it and see how much water is absorbed. Correct me if any further suggestions here
- I am confused on this formula: ((gs – gi)/gi)
Gs is the weight of the swollen variable
Gi is the weight of the variable before water is absorbed
Let us take initial weight of SAP is 2 grams. So gi is 2 grams
After adding water let us say it absorbs 400 times the original weight. So Gs will be 800 grams
Percentage of total water absorbed will be ((800-2)/2)*100
(798/2)*100 = 39900
I am seriously confused on this. I guess something is wrong here. How did Kiara get 70%? Is
formula wrong?
Can you please help me understand this.
- Hope I cannot show control variable (without SAP) for this experiment.
Thanks,
Lakshita
Thanks for all your wishes. Project is coming good. I did the first step and took step by step photos as you mentioned. Peels are almost dry. I am planning to give another 1 week to start my next step. We bought all the materials needed included greenhouse. Thanks for all your help.
I have a clarification on water retention experiment.
- Potassium polyacrylate I got, absorbs 500 times its original weight. I am planning to take 2 grams of each SAP and add water to it and see how much water is absorbed. Correct me if any further suggestions here
- I am confused on this formula: ((gs – gi)/gi)
Gs is the weight of the swollen variable
Gi is the weight of the variable before water is absorbed
Let us take initial weight of SAP is 2 grams. So gi is 2 grams
After adding water let us say it absorbs 400 times the original weight. So Gs will be 800 grams
Percentage of total water absorbed will be ((800-2)/2)*100
(798/2)*100 = 39900
I am seriously confused on this. I guess something is wrong here. How did Kiara get 70%? Is
formula wrong?
Can you please help me understand this.
- Hope I cannot show control variable (without SAP) for this experiment.
Thanks,
Lakshita
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Re: Super-absorbent polymer prepared from orange peels
Hi Lakshita,
Glad to hear that you have all the material and your project is underway--good job!
About that calculation...the problem is what you are comparing. If I remember correctly, Kiara's % was derived from a comparison of the water absorbing abilities of her orancado compound to those of the standard SPA. Sure, if you are comparing the dry compound with the same after water absorption, it will give a number like 40,000%, but that is not the comparison you want. It is OK to measure the amount of water absorbed by a specific weight of SPA and by orancado but don't give it as a %--just as fold change. If 2g of SPA absorbs enough water to weigh 800 g, then it has undergone a 400-fold increase.
But do use % when you are comparing SPA to orancado after water absorption. The formula then will be:
(g OC - g SPA)/g SPA x 100 = % difference relative to SPA.
For example, if 2 g of OC weighs 750 g after water absorption and SPA weighs only 650, then the OC has absorbed 100/650 x 100 = about 15% more water than SPA.
Keep asking questions and send me whatever you have written up so far so I can give you suggestions on how to make it clearer and what to include or not include.
Good luck!
Sybee
Glad to hear that you have all the material and your project is underway--good job!
About that calculation...the problem is what you are comparing. If I remember correctly, Kiara's % was derived from a comparison of the water absorbing abilities of her orancado compound to those of the standard SPA. Sure, if you are comparing the dry compound with the same after water absorption, it will give a number like 40,000%, but that is not the comparison you want. It is OK to measure the amount of water absorbed by a specific weight of SPA and by orancado but don't give it as a %--just as fold change. If 2g of SPA absorbs enough water to weigh 800 g, then it has undergone a 400-fold increase.
But do use % when you are comparing SPA to orancado after water absorption. The formula then will be:
(g OC - g SPA)/g SPA x 100 = % difference relative to SPA.
For example, if 2 g of OC weighs 750 g after water absorption and SPA weighs only 650, then the OC has absorbed 100/650 x 100 = about 15% more water than SPA.
Keep asking questions and send me whatever you have written up so far so I can give you suggestions on how to make it clearer and what to include or not include.
Good luck!
Sybee
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Re: Super-absorbent polymer prepared from orange peels
Hi Mr. Sybee,
Thanks for clarifying. I am confused still. Because the graph she has is Various SAPs vs water absorption ability.
In her analysis, she mentioned orange peel mixture absorbed 76.1%, Acrylic SAP 74.7%, orange peel powder 64% and so on.
My question is how she can have Acrylic SAP as 74.7%? As you mentioned, if she would have done comparison against relative SAP, then her percentage of 74.7% is wrong for Acrylic SAP since this the SAP against which she should be comparing other SAP’s right?
I am confused. Can you please help me understand better and how to graphically represent the water absorbing abilities.
Thanks,
Lakshita
Thanks for clarifying. I am confused still. Because the graph she has is Various SAPs vs water absorption ability.
In her analysis, she mentioned orange peel mixture absorbed 76.1%, Acrylic SAP 74.7%, orange peel powder 64% and so on.
My question is how she can have Acrylic SAP as 74.7%? As you mentioned, if she would have done comparison against relative SAP, then her percentage of 74.7% is wrong for Acrylic SAP since this the SAP against which she should be comparing other SAP’s right?
I am confused. Can you please help me understand better and how to graphically represent the water absorbing abilities.
Thanks,
Lakshita
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Re: Super-absorbent polymer prepared from orange peels
Hi Lakshita,
You are correct. Something is wrong either with the calculation or the statement about what was measured and how it was done.
Whichever way the data are reported, you still have to measure the capacity of the polymer to absorb and retain water. This can be graphed as fold change. For example, if you add water to 2 g of SPA and afterwards it weighs 200 g, that's a 100-fold difference.
The second number that you want is the water absorption of OC relative to SPA as a %. So, starting with 2 g of SPA and 2 g of OC, you end up with 200 g of SPA+water and 300 g of OC+water then according to the formula:
(300 - 200)/200 x 100 = 50%
the OC absorbed 50% more water than the SPA.
At this point I would tell you to do some practice runs with SPA since you have a lot of that. The most important measurement you have to make is the amount of water that is absorbed by the polymers. Water has to be added to a weighed amount of polymer until it can hold no more. Then, the swelled polymer needs to be weighed, but to do that accurately, you need to separate it from the excess water. What I want you to do is weigh six 2 g portions of SPA into plastic or paper cups (weigh the cups first) add water and allow the cups to stand until the gel can't hold any more then pour off the excess (without pouring out any of the gel!) and weigh the cups with the gel. Subtract the weight of the cup and you have the weight of the polymer plus water.
Average the six weights and use an online program to calculate standard deviation and standard error of the mean. This statistical analysis will give you an idea how accurate your weighing method is. After you have done this calculation for both the SPA and the OC I can tell you how to compare the two readings and test them statistically to find out if they are truly different.
Remember, you are doing an experiment to find out YOUR results. Your hypothesis can be: OC can absorb more water per unit weight than SPA. Your water absorption experiments will give you the answer, but you have to compare them statistically in order to be able to say with 95% confidence that the two values are different. If the tests show this to be true then you have proven the hypothesis.
Try the practice experiment and let me know how it comes out and if you have more questions.
Good luck!
Sybee
You are correct. Something is wrong either with the calculation or the statement about what was measured and how it was done.
Whichever way the data are reported, you still have to measure the capacity of the polymer to absorb and retain water. This can be graphed as fold change. For example, if you add water to 2 g of SPA and afterwards it weighs 200 g, that's a 100-fold difference.
The second number that you want is the water absorption of OC relative to SPA as a %. So, starting with 2 g of SPA and 2 g of OC, you end up with 200 g of SPA+water and 300 g of OC+water then according to the formula:
(300 - 200)/200 x 100 = 50%
the OC absorbed 50% more water than the SPA.
At this point I would tell you to do some practice runs with SPA since you have a lot of that. The most important measurement you have to make is the amount of water that is absorbed by the polymers. Water has to be added to a weighed amount of polymer until it can hold no more. Then, the swelled polymer needs to be weighed, but to do that accurately, you need to separate it from the excess water. What I want you to do is weigh six 2 g portions of SPA into plastic or paper cups (weigh the cups first) add water and allow the cups to stand until the gel can't hold any more then pour off the excess (without pouring out any of the gel!) and weigh the cups with the gel. Subtract the weight of the cup and you have the weight of the polymer plus water.
Average the six weights and use an online program to calculate standard deviation and standard error of the mean. This statistical analysis will give you an idea how accurate your weighing method is. After you have done this calculation for both the SPA and the OC I can tell you how to compare the two readings and test them statistically to find out if they are truly different.
Remember, you are doing an experiment to find out YOUR results. Your hypothesis can be: OC can absorb more water per unit weight than SPA. Your water absorption experiments will give you the answer, but you have to compare them statistically in order to be able to say with 95% confidence that the two values are different. If the tests show this to be true then you have proven the hypothesis.
Try the practice experiment and let me know how it comes out and if you have more questions.
Good luck!
Sybee
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Re: Super-absorbent polymer prepared from orange peels
Thanks so much Mr.Sybee. This is much clear. Sure I will do the trial experiment and let you know for any clarifications. Thanks again for your time to explain me in detail.
Thanks,
Lakshita
Thanks,
Lakshita
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SciB
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Re: Super-absorbent polymer prepared from orange peels
You are very welcome, Lakshita. I'm happy to help. If you have any questions at all, don't hesitate to ask. that is what we are here for.
Sybee
Sybee
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Re: Super-absorbent polymer prepared from orange peels
Hi Mr. Sybee,
Wishing you a very Happy New Year 2020!!
I am almost done with my Christmas holidays and school reopens on 7th. Thanks again for all your guidance.
- I am done with preparing Orange/Avocado SAP's (both sun dried and oven dried)
- I captured all the step by step photos and also started writing.
- I completed water retention experiment. I compared 3 SAP's (Potassium polyacrylate SAP vs Orange/Avocado peel powder SAP vs Orange/Avocado peel mixture SAP). I did 3 trials.
Orange/Avocado peel powder SAP is sun dried orange/avocado peel crushed to powder in mixer.
Orange/Avocado peel mixture SAP is sun dried orange/avocado peel mixed with strained liquid , placed in conventional oven , dried and crushed to powder.
The average of fold change for Potassium polyacrylate came to 399, Orange/Avocado peel powder came to 265 and Orange/Avocado peel mixture came to 460.
Please let me know if this is fine and your thoughts.
- I am planning to do the next experiment. These are the steps I am planning in my mind for the second experiment (soil moisture testing)
1. 3 biodegradable cups are filled with 3/4 top soil and 1/4 with each of the SAP. 1 cup is filled fully with top soil (for control testing).
2. Saturate each of the 4 cups with 50 ml of distilled water
3. After 21 days test the soil moisture in each of the 4 cups with soil moisture tester.
Is top soil ok to use since I thought normal potting soil will have other fertilizers needed for growth that would change the readings.
Thanks so much for your time.
Mrudula
Wishing you a very Happy New Year 2020!!
I am almost done with my Christmas holidays and school reopens on 7th. Thanks again for all your guidance.
- I am done with preparing Orange/Avocado SAP's (both sun dried and oven dried)
- I captured all the step by step photos and also started writing.
- I completed water retention experiment. I compared 3 SAP's (Potassium polyacrylate SAP vs Orange/Avocado peel powder SAP vs Orange/Avocado peel mixture SAP). I did 3 trials.
Orange/Avocado peel powder SAP is sun dried orange/avocado peel crushed to powder in mixer.
Orange/Avocado peel mixture SAP is sun dried orange/avocado peel mixed with strained liquid , placed in conventional oven , dried and crushed to powder.
The average of fold change for Potassium polyacrylate came to 399, Orange/Avocado peel powder came to 265 and Orange/Avocado peel mixture came to 460.
Please let me know if this is fine and your thoughts.
- I am planning to do the next experiment. These are the steps I am planning in my mind for the second experiment (soil moisture testing)
1. 3 biodegradable cups are filled with 3/4 top soil and 1/4 with each of the SAP. 1 cup is filled fully with top soil (for control testing).
2. Saturate each of the 4 cups with 50 ml of distilled water
3. After 21 days test the soil moisture in each of the 4 cups with soil moisture tester.
Is top soil ok to use since I thought normal potting soil will have other fertilizers needed for growth that would change the readings.
Thanks so much for your time.
Mrudula
-
SciB
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- Joined: Fri Feb 01, 2013 7:00 am
- Occupation: Retired molecular biologist, university researcher and teacher
- Project Question: I wish to join Scibuddies to be able to help students achieve the best science project possible and to understand the science behind it.
- Project Due Date: n/a
- Project Status: Not applicable
Re: Super-absorbent polymer prepared from orange peels
Hi Lakshita,
Congratulations on accomplishing a major part of your project successfully. The orange/avocado mixture seems to be the most water-absorbent, but in order to prove it you need to calculate the standard error. Here's a good video that explains how to calculate both standard deviation and standard error and what they mean: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BwYj69LAQOI
Standard deviation shows you how close (or far) your individual values are from the average value and that indicates how accurate your water-absorption results are. The standard error takes into account the number of readings, which in your case was three.
Now, in order to prove that the OA mix was really superior to the polyacrylate, you need to do a statistical test. If I remember right, I think you said that you have not had lessons in statistics yet, correct? Well, you don't need to wait for your teacher to tell you how to do these tests because there are many videos in which teachers will explain how to do the tests simply and understandably.
In statistics there is a term called the 'null' hypothesis. This is the hypothesis that states that there is NO difference between two values--that the apparent difference is caused by chance. That will be what you are testing when you compare the water absorption of the polyacrylate, 399, to that of OA mix, 460. It looks like the OA is higher, but without testing for the null hypothesis, you cannot say for sure. That is the purpose of these statistical tests.
One is called the Student's t test:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pTmLQvMM-1M&t=40s
and the other is the Chi-squared test:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXPBoFDqNVk
If you are familiar with using an Excel spreadsheet for doing calculations, you can do that. The video shows you how. Otherwise, you can do all the calculations by hand using a calculator.
I'm sure you will have some questions, but watch the videos first. You can also watch other videos about the test as there are several. I just happen to like the way statistics is taught on the recommended videos.
Learning to use these tests is challenging at first but they are really important in science and if you decide to go into a career in science, you will surely use both the t test and Chi-squared frequently when comparing the means of data sets.
For the second part of your project I had hoped you would also grow some plants in the soil with the different water absorbers to see if there was a noticeable difference in growth rate between the PA and the OA. This would complete your project and make it more interesting to the viewer, but if you don't have time, the moisture retention test will be fine. There does not seem to be a large difference in water absorbance between PA and OA, so you might not see a difference in growth rate. I expect that you would see a significant effect if you compared plant growth in soil with and without PA or OA mix.
Post again with your questions and I will be ready to help.
Good luck!
Sybee
Congratulations on accomplishing a major part of your project successfully. The orange/avocado mixture seems to be the most water-absorbent, but in order to prove it you need to calculate the standard error. Here's a good video that explains how to calculate both standard deviation and standard error and what they mean: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BwYj69LAQOI
Standard deviation shows you how close (or far) your individual values are from the average value and that indicates how accurate your water-absorption results are. The standard error takes into account the number of readings, which in your case was three.
Now, in order to prove that the OA mix was really superior to the polyacrylate, you need to do a statistical test. If I remember right, I think you said that you have not had lessons in statistics yet, correct? Well, you don't need to wait for your teacher to tell you how to do these tests because there are many videos in which teachers will explain how to do the tests simply and understandably.
In statistics there is a term called the 'null' hypothesis. This is the hypothesis that states that there is NO difference between two values--that the apparent difference is caused by chance. That will be what you are testing when you compare the water absorption of the polyacrylate, 399, to that of OA mix, 460. It looks like the OA is higher, but without testing for the null hypothesis, you cannot say for sure. That is the purpose of these statistical tests.
One is called the Student's t test:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pTmLQvMM-1M&t=40s
and the other is the Chi-squared test:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXPBoFDqNVk
If you are familiar with using an Excel spreadsheet for doing calculations, you can do that. The video shows you how. Otherwise, you can do all the calculations by hand using a calculator.
I'm sure you will have some questions, but watch the videos first. You can also watch other videos about the test as there are several. I just happen to like the way statistics is taught on the recommended videos.
Learning to use these tests is challenging at first but they are really important in science and if you decide to go into a career in science, you will surely use both the t test and Chi-squared frequently when comparing the means of data sets.
For the second part of your project I had hoped you would also grow some plants in the soil with the different water absorbers to see if there was a noticeable difference in growth rate between the PA and the OA. This would complete your project and make it more interesting to the viewer, but if you don't have time, the moisture retention test will be fine. There does not seem to be a large difference in water absorbance between PA and OA, so you might not see a difference in growth rate. I expect that you would see a significant effect if you compared plant growth in soil with and without PA or OA mix.
Post again with your questions and I will be ready to help.
Good luck!
Sybee
-
SciB
- Expert
- Posts: 2071
- Joined: Fri Feb 01, 2013 7:00 am
- Occupation: Retired molecular biologist, university researcher and teacher
- Project Question: I wish to join Scibuddies to be able to help students achieve the best science project possible and to understand the science behind it.
- Project Due Date: n/a
- Project Status: Not applicable
Re: Super-absorbent polymer prepared from orange peels
Hi Lakshita,
Congratulations on accomplishing a major part of your project successfully. The orange/avocado mixture seems to be the most water-absorbent, but in order to prove it you need to calculate the standard error. Here's a good video that explains how to calculate both standard deviation and standard error and what they mean: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BwYj69LAQOI
Standard deviation shows you how close (or far) your individual values are from the average value and that indicates how accurate your water-absorption results are. The standard error takes into account the number of readings, which in your case was three.
Now, in order to prove that the OA mix was really superior to the polyacrylate, you need to do a statistical test. If I remember right, I think you said that you have not had lessons in statistics yet, correct? Well, you don't need to wait for your teacher to tell you how to do these tests because there are many videos in which teachers will explain how to do the tests simply and understandably.
In statistics there is a term called the 'null' hypothesis. This is the hypothesis that states that there is NO difference between two values--that any apparent difference is caused by chance. That will be what you are testing when you compare the water absorption of the polyacrylate, 399, to that of OA mix, 460. It looks like the OA is higher, but without testing for the null hypothesis, you cannot say for sure. That is the purpose of these statistical tests.
One is called the Student's t test:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pTmLQvMM-1M&t=40s
and the other is the Chi-squared test:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXPBoFDqNVk
If you are familiar with using an Excel spreadsheet for doing calculations, you can do that. The video shows you how. Otherwise, you can do all the calculations by hand using a calculator.
I'm sure you will have some questions, but watch the videos first. You can also watch other videos about the test as there are several. I just happen to like the way statistics is taught on the recommended videos.
Learning to use these tests is challenging at first but they are really important in science and if you decide to go into a career in science, you will surely use both the t test and Chi-squared frequently when comparing the means of data sets.
For the second part of your project I had hoped you would also grow some plants in the soil with the different water absorbers to see if there was a noticeable difference in growth rate between the PA and the OA. This would complete your project and make it more interesting to the viewer, but if you don't have time, the moisture retention test will be fine. There does not seem to be a large difference in water absorbance between PA and OA, so you might not see a difference in growth rate. I expect that you would see a significant effect if you compared plant growth in soil with and without PA or OA mix.
Post again with your questions and I will be ready to help.
Good luck!
Sybee
Congratulations on accomplishing a major part of your project successfully. The orange/avocado mixture seems to be the most water-absorbent, but in order to prove it you need to calculate the standard error. Here's a good video that explains how to calculate both standard deviation and standard error and what they mean: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BwYj69LAQOI
Standard deviation shows you how close (or far) your individual values are from the average value and that indicates how accurate your water-absorption results are. The standard error takes into account the number of readings, which in your case was three.
Now, in order to prove that the OA mix was really superior to the polyacrylate, you need to do a statistical test. If I remember right, I think you said that you have not had lessons in statistics yet, correct? Well, you don't need to wait for your teacher to tell you how to do these tests because there are many videos in which teachers will explain how to do the tests simply and understandably.
In statistics there is a term called the 'null' hypothesis. This is the hypothesis that states that there is NO difference between two values--that any apparent difference is caused by chance. That will be what you are testing when you compare the water absorption of the polyacrylate, 399, to that of OA mix, 460. It looks like the OA is higher, but without testing for the null hypothesis, you cannot say for sure. That is the purpose of these statistical tests.
One is called the Student's t test:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pTmLQvMM-1M&t=40s
and the other is the Chi-squared test:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXPBoFDqNVk
If you are familiar with using an Excel spreadsheet for doing calculations, you can do that. The video shows you how. Otherwise, you can do all the calculations by hand using a calculator.
I'm sure you will have some questions, but watch the videos first. You can also watch other videos about the test as there are several. I just happen to like the way statistics is taught on the recommended videos.
Learning to use these tests is challenging at first but they are really important in science and if you decide to go into a career in science, you will surely use both the t test and Chi-squared frequently when comparing the means of data sets.
For the second part of your project I had hoped you would also grow some plants in the soil with the different water absorbers to see if there was a noticeable difference in growth rate between the PA and the OA. This would complete your project and make it more interesting to the viewer, but if you don't have time, the moisture retention test will be fine. There does not seem to be a large difference in water absorbance between PA and OA, so you might not see a difference in growth rate. I expect that you would see a significant effect if you compared plant growth in soil with and without PA or OA mix.
Post again with your questions and I will be ready to help.
Good luck!
Sybee