Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

Hello! Mu daughter is doing her 7th grade science fair project on: does salt water or lemon juice have any effect on the rate of dehydration of different types of apples? She'll be testing Gala, Granny Smith & Red Delicious apples in both salt water & lemon juice. However, she's having a hard time trying to title her project. Can you offer some catchy titles for her project?

Hello!

Sounds like a fun project! A few title ideas that come to mind are "Salt or Sour: how do salt water and lemon juice effect the rate of apple dehydration?" or "Bobbing for Apples: how do different liquids effect the rate of apple dehydration?"

Just a note - I see that your experiment may have two variables. One is the liquid the apple will be in (salt water or lemon juice) and the other is the type of apple (Gala, Granny Smith, Red Delicious). As you analyze and display the data you daughter will need to ensure she is only using one variable at a time (e.g. compare the lemon juice only results and see how they change for the different types of apples).

Good luck!

Audrey

Thank you so much! I will ensure that she analyze it that way. Also, you are saying that the apple types and liquids are both the independent variable, correct?

Hello! I'm doing my science fair project on "How does lemon juice and salt water effect the rate of dehydration?" I'm doing research but I keep finding information on apple browning/oxidation relating to lemon juice & salt water. I'm going to test 3 different apples in those liquids to see which one dries out 1st. Can you help me find information on dehydration of apples or do I need to focus on apple oxidation? Thank!!

Deemiller wrote: ↑Tue Oct 10, 2023 10:00 am Thank you so much! I will ensure that she analyze it that way. Also, you are saying that the apple types and liquids are both the independent variable, correct?

Correct - varying the apply type is one independent variable and varying the liquids is another independent variable. Typically it is best to limit an experiment to one independent variable and hold everything else constant.

Okay, thank you! I'll inform her that she may just want to test 1 apple type in both liquids instead of 3 different apples.