Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

My son, a 5th grader, has a science fair project due Thursday. The topic he chose is, "Does Dirty Water Flow Faster Than Clean Water?" I have no clue on how to get started. Any suggestions???

Hi,

How to get started on a science fair project? My suggestion for a first step is to read thoroughly the Science Buddies Project Guide:

https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... ndex.shtml

It should walk you through the steps of doing and reporting the project fairly clearly. Feel free to post again if you run into problems.

Probably the most important thing: Have fun doing the project!

Best regards,

Barrett Tomlinson

It sounds like you need to build some sort of apparatus for water to flow in, then time it with a stopwatch. Maybe a clear plastic tube, angled on a ramp?
Make sure you control what "dirty water" consists of. You might try different kinds of dirty water, eg water with sediment or water with oil in it, to make things more interesting.
amber

Hello

First off, you should first find out what materials you are going to use.
(e.j. Tap water, Muddy water, Stopwatch, hollow tube [~10 feet], measuring tools)

I would first start by collecting a cup of Tap water, then I would collect approximately 1/2 cup of dirt.
I would mix this dirt with 3/4 cup of Tap Water to create a muddy consistency. (The reason for 3/4 cup is because the dirt will make the mudded water 1 cup)
Then I would place a ramp at a fixed angle such as 20 degrees.
Lastly, record several trials with each type of water with a stop watch.
(I would recommend making several cupse off each consistency so that multiple trials can be completed.)

After you have discovered which type of water flows fastest, for additional information you can use a resource such as a book or the internet.
(e.j. You could google the physical make-up of water as compared to the pysical make-up of dirt/soil when added to water.)

Hope this helps and best of luck!