Science Projects

Salt Oscillator

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Summary

Areas of Science

Chemistry

Difficulty

Time Required

Short (2-5 days)

Credits

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Abstract

Fill a jar a little more than half full with fresh water. Make a solution of salt water, and add a drop or two of food coloring to it. Pour the salt water solution into a plastic cup with a small hole in the bottom, and then place the cup in the jar with fresh water. (The only connection between the fresh and salt water should be via the hole in the bottom of the cup.) With the right combination of hole size and salt concentration, you will see an oscillating current develop in the jar. Experiment to find which hole sizes and salt concentrations work best. (Johnson, 2005)

Bibliography

Johnson, M.R., 2005. "Flow Dynamics of the Salt Oscillator," California State Science Fair Project Abstract [accessed February 27, 2006] http://www.usc.edu/CSSF/History/2005/Projects/J0112.pdf.

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General citation information is provided here. Be sure to check the formatting, including capitalization, for the method you are using and update your citation, as needed.

MLA Style

Science Buddies Staff. "Salt Oscillator." Science Buddies, 20 Nov. 2020, https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project-ideas/Chem_p052/chemistry/salt-oscillator. Accessed 6 June 2023.

APA Style

Science Buddies Staff. (2020, November 20). Salt Oscillator. Retrieved from https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project-ideas/Chem_p052/chemistry/salt-oscillator

Last edit date: 2020-11-20

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