Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

HI, I'm thinking about using the topic "wastewater treatment" for my science horizons' project. But, I really don't know how to go any further.
Can you please give me any ideas? and many some links too?

princesslove_12,

It sounds like you have a good handle on what topic you want to address with your project. Congratulations - picking a topic is probably the hardest part of doing a science fair project and you have that done! You can do a few things to get ideas for how to narrow your topic to a specific question. First, you might try searching through the posts on this Forum to see what other students are doing about wastewater treatment. Second, take a look at Science Buddies Project Ideas and see if any of them interest you (https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... deas.shtml). Try looking at the "Environmental Science", "Geology", and "Ocean Sciences" interest areas. Third, think about what specific aspects of wastewater treatment interest you the most. Fourth, look at the abstracts from the California State Science Fair and see what projects give you ideas (http://www.usc.edu/CSSF). Once you get a few ideas, post back with them and we will help you decide which one will be the best fit for you!

Good luck!

Hi,
So in my project, part of my experiment is on whether an acidic solution or a basic solution will harm water the most and make it unsafe for drinking.
I have to write a hypothesis stating which solution I think is gonna affect the water the most and why I think that. Can you please help me?

Hi,
Thnx for giving me gud links and tips on what to do now.
I have another question about my project, if you don't mind. So in my project, part of my experiment is on whether an acidic solution or a basic solution will harm water the most and make it unsafe for drinking.
I have to write a hypothesis stating which solution I think is gonna affect the water the most and why I think that. Can you please help me?

dear princesslove_12,

Thanks for contacting science buddies' ask an expert. Regarding your question, it depends how acidic or how basic the acid and base you are adding to the water is. Acidity and basitity is measured by pH, ranging from 1 to 14. 1 is the most acidic, 14 is the most basic, and 7 is distilled water. The further away the pH is from 7 the more there is a potential for danger for the human body. In order to make a hypothesis you would need to know what acids and bases you are adding to the water, so you can find out the pH of each acid and base. If you respond back what acids and bases you will be using in your experiments I can help you understand where they are on the pH scale, so can have a more valid and educational hypothesis. Also, when working with acids and bases be careful because they can harm you very badly, so make sure that you wear the proper clothing/equipment, such as goggles and gloves that are acid and base resistant (usually nitrille gloves, but check on the box of gloves).

good luck,
scienceexpert123

Hi Princesslove_12,
Congratulations on choosing a very interesting and important topic. Geochemistry and contaminant issues are different from place to place, and there is no way to predict whether an increase or decrease in pH will be more "harmful" for drinking water in general. I would recommend thinking about some specific ways that a change in pH could "harm" the water. Let us know if you need some help with that.
Good luck!
Chris

Dear scienceexpert123,
I am planning to use citric acid for my acid and 409 cleaner for my base...
Please give me your thoughts on the hypothesis..
Thnx

Dear princesslove_12,

The results of the experiment will depend on the molarity of the solutions. Molarity is the the concentration of solute to solvent. In your case the solute would be citric acid or 409 (this would be ammonia) and the solvent would be water. The higher the molarity of each solution the higher the destructive properties the solution will have. I have a few questions about your experiment, which will further help me understand it. First, what is the source of the citric acid? Second, what are your experiments and how are you going to conduct your experiments? In general, if someone drank enough ammonia or 409 cleaner they would die, but 409 contains other chemicals that would add to the problems with consuming it. The brand of 409 probably has already esablished a certain amount of 409 that will cause harm if ingested (this probably can be found on the back of the bottle or on the product's website).

The same goes for certain forms of citric acid. If you got the citric acid from a fruit juice most likely there would be no effects, except maybe some acid indigestion, if someone consumed the fruit juice. If you took citric acid crystals and made a highly concentrated solutiuon of citric acid, this may very much so harm someone. Overall, the results of your experiments will depend on the specific kinds of experiments and the source and concentration of the acids and bases used.

information on molarity link http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concentration#Molarity

good luck,
scienceexpert123

I need to buy sandy, clay, silt, loam, and chalky soil for my experiment...does anyone have any idea for where i can buy these soils?
Please reply asap!!
Thnx

Hi!
Hmmm...well doing a Google search I found the following websites:
http://usagardener.com/breaking_ground/ ... g_soil.php
http://www.helpfulgardener.com/phpBB2/v ... php?t=5721
In general, I think you should try a local gardening shop or home improvement store and ask the gardening experts there.
also, here's a website just re-emphasizing the differences between the types of soils:
http://www.eais.net/soil/
Hope this helps, best of luck!