Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

Posting on behalf of a family
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My son is doing a similar science project to the "Electrolyte Challenge" (comparing 3 different sports drinks instead of OJ vs Sports Drinks).

1. Could we set up individual "simple conductance sensors" for each beverage to cut out the step to "rinse in distilled water"?
2. What is the purpose of testing/recording electrolytes for distilled and tap water?


Project directions: https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... orts-drink

Hello,

1. Yes - IF you are careful to make the sensors with the exact same dimensions. The length of wire you use and the distance between the wire coils on the straw will all affect the conductivity reading. To do an "apples to apples" comparison between two different sensors, they need to be identical (or, as close to identical as is practically possible when making them by hand).

2. These measurements serve as controls or a baseline for comparison to the sports drinks. Distilled water is extremely purified and does not have any of the additional minerals that contribute to conductivity. Tap water has various minerals/impurities that make it more conductive (but supposedly not as conductive as sports drinks which have more electrolytes added).

Hope that helps!