Global Warming

justinfreeman · Post by **justinfreeman** » Wed Feb 21, 2007 8:29 am

I need some help on my Science project. Since Global Warming is a big issue at this time I picked something on Global Warming. The project that i used was to measure the amount of co2 in human exaust, car exaust, and pure CO2. Im wanting to expand on that and test the exaust from a bio deisal car, a hydrogen car and a solarpowered car. Does anyone know how i can get these types of exaust? Also the way that im testing the co2 is using a bromothymol blue solution. is there any other way to test the co2 level in the above gasses? If anyone has any information on this or any other ways to expand on this please let me know im striving for something on this by proving that the other fuel sources is better for the atmosphere.

deleted-71447 · Post by **deleted-71447** » Wed Feb 21, 2007 10:03 am

Hi,
Your project sounds interesting. The best way to get those samples would be to take them directly from the exhaust pipe of a vehicle. An alternative would be to simulate the exhaust by burning the fuel outside of the motor (e.g. igniting hydrogen). In my opinion, this is a less desirable approach, because the simulated exhaust might not match actual exhaust.

I would suggest rethinking your choices of vehicle types for this experiment. For example, a 100% solar powered car would not have any exhaust, so how could you collect a sample? Also, a hydrogen powered car may be difficult to find.

If you run a Google search for "measuring CO2 concentration," you'll find many alternatives. One relatively simple method that may interest you is the Haldane Apparatus:
http://www.sweb.cz/kemike/medic/entries ... RATUS.html

justinfreeman · Post by **justinfreeman** » Thu Feb 22, 2007 8:07 am

What types of veicles would you suggest on using, and any other thoughts on how i could use global warming and what else i could test to prove that global warming is real. I would like to contact Al Gore and get some of his imput on my project. Does anyone know how i could contact him. I think that if i had someone like that who is big into global warming that my chances would be better wining. thanks for any help

Louise · Post by **Louise** » Thu Feb 22, 2007 9:39 am

justinfreeman wrote:What types of veicles would you suggest on using, and any other thoughts on how i could use global warming and what else i could test to prove that global warming is real. I would like to contact Al Gore and get some of his imput on my project. Does anyone know how i could contact him. I think that if i had someone like that who is big into global warming that my chances would be better wining. thanks for any help

The best way to win a science fair is to do good science, not get a celebrity to plaster his or her name over your project.

The best way to do good science is to do a project you care deeply about- even if that topic is not trendy.

Do this project only if you are really interested in car emissions. Do not do it because you want to meet Al Gore or because you think that you will meet Al Gore and that will mean that you will win.

Louise

deleted-71447 · Post by **deleted-71447** » Thu Feb 22, 2007 11:03 am

Justin, Have you thought of a hypothesis? If not, that should be a high priority. For the project you described, I would suggest testing whatever cars are available to you. Diesel, biodiesel, and gasoline are the ones most available in my area. Keep in mind, a high CO2 concentration does not imply a high CO2 flux. To calculate flux, you need to also know the flow rate of the exhaust. Also, the CO2 concentration and flux from different sources will not tell you whether global warming is 'real'. That would be a totally different project.

As Louise said, the people who do well in science are often very passionate about their work. At the same time, I encourage you to follow your instinct to search for the best possible mentors. After all, if it were 100% about passion, we wouldn't need teachers or Sciencebuddies.

That said, I don't think Al Gore would be your best mentor. He is good at delivering the message, but he is not a scientist, and he doesn't have free time to devote to mentoring young scientists. You'd be better off with someone who teaches and who does active research on issues related to global warming.

justinfreeman · Post by **justinfreeman** » Mon Feb 26, 2007 1:40 pm

Im stuck on what to do i have all of my data from a gas, biodesil, and desil. i need to know how i can apply my data and form a good project. im worried that i dont have enough data. i have done the test 2 times and recorded the data what could be my question for my project board?

deleted-71447 · Post by **deleted-71447** » Mon Feb 26, 2007 2:22 pm

Hi Justin,
Do I understand correctly that you have collected your data, but you do not yet have a scientific question? It was my impression that you were working on the question of which types of cars have the highest concentrations of CO2 in exhaust. Did you see any difference in your initial results?

If you have more time to work on this project, I would suggest trying to refine your question, and possibly collecting additional data.

Chris

justinfreeman · Post by **justinfreeman** » Fri Mar 02, 2007 1:35 pm

Im done collecting data. to tell how much CO2 was in each sample i used a droper and counted the drops of dulited ammonia it took to change the sample back to my control or (blue). How can i change the drops to a % instead of drops.

justinfreeman · Post by **justinfreeman** » Fri Mar 02, 2007 1:55 pm

Any ideals on a good title or question to stand out and get people's attention.

Louise · Post by **Louise** » Fri Mar 02, 2007 2:04 pm

justinfreeman wrote:Im done collecting data. to tell how much CO2 was in each sample i used a droper and counted the drops of dulited ammonia it took to change the sample back to my control or (blue). How can i change the drops to a % instead of drops.

Well, you cannot change this number really. What you can do is count how many drops make up 1 mL (or something). Do this several times, and then you can get the average volume of a drop. Then you should be able to calculate the percent.

Louise

Louise · Post by **Louise** » Fri Mar 02, 2007 2:06 pm

justinfreeman wrote:Any ideals on a good title or question to stand out and get people's attention.

What was your hypothesis and what were the results? If we know what these were, we can help you with the title. I don't know what you mean by the "question"- you should have a question that you are trying to answer before you start (and the hypothesis is your prediction of what the answer will be).

Louise