Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

Hi, I'm doing an experiment that discovers what dyes are present in colored drink mixes. I am having trouble finding out what the independant and dependant variables are. My guess is that the independant variable is the color of drink mix, and the dependant variables are the brand of both the chromatography paper and drink mix. Are these correct? Also- how would I go about measuring the results found on the chromatography paper? Thanks so much! Please ask any questions if needed.

Hello and welcome to the forum!

I'm having a little trouble understanding your experiment. Could you please give us a little more detail? I don't find this experiment in the ScienceBuddies list, and the references to this type of experiment on the web seem quite complicated for a K-5 student. To actually find out which dyes are in the drink mix may require much more complicated analysis than chromatography paper.

It seems your dependent variable will be related to what happens on the paper, but I could use some more information. Thanks!

Keith

Hi daisydaisy303,

This is an interesting idea for a project!

For more information about variables, here is the science buddy link:
https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... bles.shtml

Are you trying to figure out what dyes are in powdered drink mixes or how many dyes are present? Keith is right. If you are trying to figure out what dyes are present you need to do more complex analysis such as spectrophotometric analysis. However, if you are trying to figure out how many dyes are present, paper chromatography may work. Here are a couple of links about paper chromotography:

https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... rces.shtml
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paper_chromatography

The dyes may separate out into separate spots on the paper. It may be interesting to see if your results match up with the number of dyes listed on the packaging. Good luck! Let us know how it works!

Tori

Hi DaisyDaisy303 - I noticed your post with interest this morning because there is a Science Buddies project getting ready to come out on the website that deals with a very similar line of questioning and analysis. It's titled: Analyze This! Make a Colorimeter to Measure the Concentration of Blue Dye in Various Liquids.

Unfortunately, it may be a bit more difficult than you're looking for. It is rated as appropriate for 9th-10th grade.

I talked with the scientist who wrote the project, and he said that it involves making an electronic device and ordering special supplies (cuvettes) and that it requires some help from an adult. (The paper chromatography approach likely will, too.)

So... I wanted to mention the colorimeter project to you, and I'll post a link to it as soon as it is live (later this week, I believe).

Amy
Science Buddies

Hi - I just wanted to let you know that the new Project Idea I mentioned earlier is now available. As I said, its rating makes it a 9th-10th grade project, but you may want to look over the procedure and check out the resources. Or... maybe you'll do it!

Analyze This! Make a Colorimeter to Measure the Concentration of Blue Dye in Various Liquids
https://www.sciencebuddies.org/mentorin ... p075.shtml

Amy
Science Buddies