Oil Residue
Moderators: AmyCowen, kgudger, bfinio, MadelineB, Moderators
Oil Residue
I am hoping to do a science fair project around measuring the effectiveness of detergent on cleaning bird feathers after they have been exposed to oil. Is there are way to quantify the oil that remains on the feather once it has been washed? Thank you.
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17eugenekim
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Re: Oil Residue
Hello,
This is quite an interesting question and project idea! I'll try to provide what input I can, but this might be worth posting to the Physical Sciences subforum as well - the experts there might have more specific knowledge on analytical methods for something like this.
That said, my first thought is to simply measure weights. If you have access to a scale with milligram-level accuracy or better, you might be able to get away with measuring the feather before oil exposure, after oil exposure, and after cleaning. With some calculations, you could find the proportion of oil removed. I have no idea how much your feathers weigh, and whether you'll be able to detect meaningful differences, but that's one thought. Alternatively, you could use a qualitative measure, and rate oiliness on the feathers on a scale of, say for instance, 1-10.
Finally, here's a discussion from 2010 with a very similar project question, addressed by two Experts - absolutely worth checking out: viewtopic.php?t=6884
Hope that helps!
This is quite an interesting question and project idea! I'll try to provide what input I can, but this might be worth posting to the Physical Sciences subforum as well - the experts there might have more specific knowledge on analytical methods for something like this.
That said, my first thought is to simply measure weights. If you have access to a scale with milligram-level accuracy or better, you might be able to get away with measuring the feather before oil exposure, after oil exposure, and after cleaning. With some calculations, you could find the proportion of oil removed. I have no idea how much your feathers weigh, and whether you'll be able to detect meaningful differences, but that's one thought. Alternatively, you could use a qualitative measure, and rate oiliness on the feathers on a scale of, say for instance, 1-10.
Finally, here's a discussion from 2010 with a very similar project question, addressed by two Experts - absolutely worth checking out: viewtopic.php?t=6884
Hope that helps!
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MadelineB
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Re: Oil Residue
Hi Sarah,
I've cross-posted this thread with the Grades 6-8 Physical Sciences forum. Perhaps some of those experts have some additional suggestions!
Madeline
Moderator
I've cross-posted this thread with the Grades 6-8 Physical Sciences forum. Perhaps some of those experts have some additional suggestions!
Madeline
Moderator
Re: Oil Residue
Thank you for your help. We have a good set of scales and we will give the measuring a go. Designing an oiliness scale could be interesting too. I appreciate your help.