Running Head: SCIENTIFIC INQUIRY MIDTERM
Scientific Inquiry Midterm
Kaylee Pence
Ivy Tech Community College
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SCIENTIFIC INQUIRY MIDTERM
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Standard #4: Content Knowledge
The teacher understands the central concepts, tools of inquiry, and structures of the
discipline(s) he or she teaches and creates learning experiences that make these aspects of the
discipline accessible and meaningful for learners to assure mastery of the content.
Name of artifact: Scientific Inquiry Midterm
Date: March 2013
Course: EDUC 224: Scientific Inquiry
Brief Description:
This is a paper I wrote in Scientific Inquiry to help me have a better understanding of
how the inquiry process works. The information I received from completing this assignment is,
how the steps and process of inquiry work together to form one assignment on the topic at hand.
Rationale:
To document my understanding of Assessment, I have selected to include my Scientific
Inquiry Midterm, this paper particular paper shows my understanding of central concepts, and
structures of the discipline to create learning experiences that assure mastery of the content. This
paper documents my understanding of using tools in inquiry, and structures of discipline.
SCIENTIFIC INQUIRY MIDTERM
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Big Idea: Expansion/ Expansion with gas
Materials:

Flat working area with enough room to work

50 ML Cylinder

“Way to Celebrate” Balloons (3 of the same color)

3 packs of Bayer Alka-Seltzer tablets (2 in each pack)

Thermometer

Digital Scale

Measuring Tape

Tap Water

Water Fountain

Stop Watch
Inquiry Round #1
Question:
How much will the circumference (the total length around the balloon) of the Balloon
grow, if half a tablet of Bayer Alka-Seltzer is added to 30ML of water?
Claim:
The circumference of the balloon with increase by 15cm, and the length will get longer
by 7cm.
SCIENTIFIC INQUIRY MIDTERM
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Procedure:

Gather the materials from the list given above

Observe materials

Designate the members of the group to complete the same task each time the experiment
is done

Glance for the solution to your question by observing the materials on your table

Look at the serving size given on the back of the Alka- Seltzer packet

In comparison to 30ML of water, figure out how much water it will take for the tablet to
dissolve.

Observe that in order to dissolve 2 tablets, 4 ounces of water is needed

Look closely at the graduated cylinder given

Observe where the 30ML mark is on the cylinder

Use your lab sink to fill up cylinder to 30ML of water

Make sure to sit the cylinder on a flat surface to see that the water is right on the 30ML
mark.

Looking back at the Alka-Seltzer tablets, when using 30ML of water it will take 1.6
grams of the tablet to dissolve in water.

Retrieve the digital scale

Plug into the nearest outlet, around the lab table, be sure that the cord to the digital scale
is not near your lab water

Open one package of Alka-Seltzer tablets

Retrieve one from the pack of two

Zero out the digital scale, by pressing the on button until the scale reads 0
SCIENTIFIC INQUIRY MIDTERM
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
Take the one tablet retrieved from the pack and try to break it in half

Put one half on the digital scale, trying to make the scale read 1.6g

Keep adding little piece of either tablet until the scale reads exactly 1.6g

Once the tablet is exactly in two equal pieces locate one of the colored balloons

Using the measuring tape, measure the circumference (total distance around the balloon)
and the length (top to bottom of the balloon) and record data in data table

Locate the blow whole end of the balloon; remember this balloon will be used to test the
hypothesis over the next three trails.

Take one half of the Alka-Seltzer tablet and insert it into the blow whole end of the
balloon

Use hard object such as the top to thermometer to crush the condense inside the balloon

Run fingers on the outside of the balloon to be sure there are no pebble sized particles left

Retrieve the 30ML of water that was set aside earlier

Take the thermometer and set inside the water and wait 1 minute to get a good reading on
the temperature

Record data of water temperature

Once temperature is recoded, take measuring tape and measure 1 inch from the top of the
cylinder

Allow a partner (and the same partner throughout the inquiry process) to hold the tape
measure to be sure the balloon is in a steady position at all times

Place the blow whole end of the balloon over the top of the cylinder 1 inch down from
the top

Be sure that the condense of the balloon is not poured into the
SCIENTIFIC INQUIRY MIDTERM
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One lab partner (one that will do this throughout the three rounds) should be ready with a
stop watch, timing the reaction for 1 minute

Once all group members are ready, lift the balloon in an upright position, releasing the
Alka-Seltzer into the 30ML of water

Watch and observe reaction for 1 minute

Once 1 minute has passed allow one member of the group to measure the circumference
in centimeters, and the length of the balloon in centimeters, the balloon is still on the
cylinder, record.

This experiment will be done two more times to get an average

Use directions as follows…

After data from the experiment has been recorded

Take the balloon off of the cylinder, and set it aside
Data: Regular Water from Lab Sink
Inquire#1
Trail 1
Trail 2
Trail 3
Average
Initial
Measurements
Circumference
16.5cm
17.2cm
18.3cm
17.3cm
14.8cm
Length
15.3cm
13.5cm
14.5cm
14.4cm
14.3cm
Temperature
73.3 F
73.2 F
74.3 F
73.3 F
73.7 F
Observations:

Have to take in account how much Alka-Seltzer is needed to dissolve in water

2 tables = 4 ounces of water

Tablet weighs 3.2g
SCIENTIFIC INQUIRY MIDTERM
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A lot of air went inside the balloon when placed around the cylinder, the balloon had to
be taken off in order to not change the results

Residue was left inside the balloon after dumping into the water

Second trial water was 73.2Fm used the other half of the tablet that was previously
broken

Make sure same person is performing the same steps of the experiment every time so the
results are close to the same.

Cannot account for human error.

Temperature seemed to fluctuate thought-out the trials.

Throughout the trials repeatedly using the same balloon caused it to stretch out, therefore
skewing the results for the second and third trials
Research:
When testing the outcome of mixing half a tablet of Alka-Seltzer and using 30ML of tap
water from the lab sink, I made the claim that the tablet would make the balloon grow due to the
gas released by the chemicals in the Alka-Seltzer tablet. When further researching the claim, I
noticed that I needed to research the history on the Alka-Seltzer tablet itself, before I could say
my claim was correct. According to Dr. Franklin Miles, of the World Press, the mixture is
effervescent, caused when an acid mixes with the baking soda whose chemical name sodium
bicarbonate. In easier terms, the tablet has a chemical component that, “worked well to ease
indigestion while the aspirin in the drink helped to ease minor pains.” When looking at AlkaSeltzer dissolving in water, the water is a substitute for the stomach acid in which the tablet is
SCIENTIFIC INQUIRY MIDTERM
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used for. When mixed with water the tablet releases gases which will work along side of the
sodium to relieve stomach pain.
Inquire Round #2
Question:
How will changing the temperature of the water (using colder water) change the balloons
circumference?
Claim:
The cold water will not react in a positive enforcement to make the balloon grow.
Procedure:

Retrieve one of the untouched balloons for this next experiment

Observe materials

Designate the members of the group to complete the same task each time the experiment
is done

Look for the solution to your question by observing the materials on your table

Look at the serving size given on the back of the Alka- Seltzer packet

In comparison to 30ML of water, figure out how much water it will take for the tablet to
dissolve.

Observe that in order to dissolve 2 tablets, 4 ounces of water is needed

Look closely at the graduated cylinder given

Observe where the 30ML mark is on the cylinder

Use the nearest water fountain to fill up cylinder to 30ML of water
SCIENTIFIC INQUIRY MIDTERM

9
Make sure to sit the cylinder on a flat surface to see that the water is right on the 30ML
mark.

Looking back at the Alka-Seltzer tablets, when using 30ML of water it will take 1.6
grams of the tablet to dissolve in water.

Retrieve the digital scale

Plug into the nearest outlet, around the lab table

Open one package of Alka-Seltzer tablets

Retrieve one from the pack of two

Zero out the digital scale, by pressing the on button until the scale reads 0

Take the one tablet retrieved from the pack and try to break it in half

Put one half on the digital scale, trying to make the scale read 1.6g

Keep adding little piece of the tablet until the scale reads exactly 1.6g

Once the tablet is exactly in two equal pieces locate one of the colored balloons

Using the measuring tape, measure the circumference (total distance around the balloon)
and the length (top to bottom of the balloon) and record data in data table

Locate the blow whole end of the balloon

Take one half of the Alka-Seltzer tablet and insert it into the blow whole end of the
balloon

Use hard object such as top to thermometer to crush the condense inside the balloon

Run fingers on the outside of the balloon to be sure there are no pebble sized particles left

Retrieve the 30ML of water that was set aside earlier

Take the thermometer and set inside the water and wait 1 minute to get a good reading on
the temperature
SCIENTIFIC INQUIRY MIDTERM
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
Record data of water temperature

Once temperature is recoded, take measuring tape and measure 1 inch from the top of the
cylinder

Allow a partner to hold the tape to be sure the balloon is in a steady position at all times

Place the blow hole end of the balloon over the top of the cylinder 1 inch down from the
top

Be sure that the condense of the balloon is not poured into the water until the
measurements around the cylinder are steady

One lab partner should be ready with a stop watch, timing the reaction for 1 minute

Once all group members are ready, lift the balloon releasing the Alka-Seltzer into the
30ML of water

Watch and observe reaction for 1 minute

Once 1 minute has passed allow one member of the group to measure the circumference
in centimeters, and the length of the balloon in centimeters, the balloon is still on the
cylinder, record.

This experiment will be done two more times to get an average

Use directions as follows…

After data from the experiment has been recorded

Take the balloon off of the cylinder, and set it aside
SCIENTIFIC INQUIRY MIDTERM
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Data: Cold water from the Water Fountain
Inquire 2
Trail 1
Trail 2
Trail 3
Average
Initial
Measurements
Circumference
17.0cm
15.8cm
17.2cm
16.6cm
13.1cm
Length
14.4cm
12.3cm
13.1cm
13.3cm
12.3cm
57.5F
56.8F
57.9F
57.4F
57.5F
Temperature
Observations:

When measuring the length of the balloon, it seemed to of had a slight bend, so the height
measurement will be a little off

While poring the Alka-Seltzer from the balloon to the water, there was no real set way of
doing so, therefore sometimes the Alka-Seltzer reached the water fasters than it would it
other trails

When using cold water the bubbles seem to go up the cylinder more and closer together
Research:
According to, Roberto Gregorius, when solid dry powders of NaHCO3 and acetylsalicylic acid are pressed together to make a tablet, being solids, the molecules are not mobile
enough to react. Adding water dissolves both and allows them to mingle and react. The
disintegration of the reaction and the stirring from the gas bubbles help the "aspirin" dissolve in
the water to a degree of dilution at which it is not objectionable to taste and will not irritate the
stomach as direct contact with a solid acid might.
When looking closely at the chemical compound of the drug Alka-Seltzer, one of the
main ingredients of Alka-Seltzer is baking powder. According to Webesters Dictionary, baking
SCIENTIFIC INQUIRY MIDTERM
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powder is a combination of some acid (such as citric acid or tartaric acid) and sodium
bicarbonate. When the tablet dissolves the components of baking powder (the acid and the base)
react with each other and produce a gas (carbon dioxide). This is why when adding cold water
into the mix, it slows the reaction down. When using cold water, the compound of the sodium
bicarbonate is not able to react as fast, because the particles in the water are closer together.
Inquiry Round #3
Question:
How will increasing the amount of Alka-Seltzer put into 30ML of water change the
circumference of the Balloon?
Claim:
By using twice as much Alka-Seltzer the balloon will increase by doubling the
circumference of the balloon.
Procedure:

Observe materials

For this experiment, the last and final unused balloon will be tested

Gather the materials from the list given above

Observe materials

Designate the members of the group to complete the same task each time the experiment
is done

Look for the solution to your question by observing the materials on your table

Look at the serving size given on the back of the Alka- Seltzer packet

In comparison to 30ML of water, figure out how much water it will take for the tablet to
dissolve.
SCIENTIFIC INQUIRY MIDTERM
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
Observe that in order to dissolve 2 tablets, 4 ounces of water is needed

Look closely at the graduated cylinder given

Observe where the 30ML mark is on the cylinder

Use your lab sink to fill up cylinder to 30ML of water

Make sure to sit the cylinder on a flat surface to see that the water is right on the 30ML
mark.

Looking back at the Alka-Seltzer tablets, when using 30ML of water it will take 1.6
grams of the tablet to dissolve in water.

Retrieve the digital scale

Plug into the nearest outlet, around the lab table

Open one package of Alka-Seltzer tablets

Retrieve one from the pack of two

Using the measuring tape, measure the circumference (total distance around the balloon)
and the length (top to bottom of the balloon) and record data in data table

Locate the blow hole end of the balloon

Take one hole Alka-Seltzer tablet and insert it into the blow hole end of the balloon

Use hard object such as top to thermometer to crush the condense inside the balloon

Run fingers on the outside of the balloon to be sure there are no pebble sized particles left

Retrieve the 30ML of water that was set aside earlier

Take the thermometer and set inside the water and wait 1 minute to get a good reading on
the temperature

Record data of water temperature
SCIENTIFIC INQUIRY MIDTERM

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Once temperature is recoded, take measuring tape and measure 1 inch from the top of the
cylinder

Allow a partner to hold the tape to be sure the balloon is in a steady position at all times

Place the blow hole end of the balloon over the top of the cylinder 1 inch down from the
top

Be sure that the condense of the balloon is not poured into the water until the
measurements around the cylinder are steady

One lab partner should be ready with a stop watch, timing the reaction for 1 minute

Once all group members are ready, lift the balloon releasing the Alka-Seltzer into the
30ML of water

Watch and observe reaction for 1 minute

Once 1 minute has passed allow one member of the group to measure the circumference
in centimeters, and the length of the balloon in centimeters, the balloon is still on the
cylinder, record.

This experiment will be done two more times to get an average

Use directions as follows…

After data from the experiment has been recorded

Take the balloon off of the cylinder, and set it aside
SCIENTIFIC INQUIRY MIDTERM
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Data: Adding 1 full tablet of Alka-Seltzer along with regular tap water
Inquiry 3
Trail 1
Trail 2
Trail 3
Average
Initial
Measurements
Circumference
24.9cm
21.2cm
23.9cm
23.3cm
13.4cm
Length
15.2cm
14.3cm
15.0cm
14.8cm
12.5cm
72.8F
70.5F
74.8F
72.7F
72.8F
Temperature
Observations:

While trying to fill our cylinder with water on our last trial, our water turned brown,
causing us to have to run the water, which made the temperature change

We came up with the idea of taking the temperature after the Alka-Seltzer with only two
trials left to go

When taking the temperature after the Alka-Seltzer settled and the bubbles where gone,
we found that the water temperature had gone down by almost three degrees each time
Research:
During this round of inquiry we looked at staying with our constant 30ML of water, but
adding 1 full tablet of Alka-Seltzer, this meant that we where speeding up our reaction. When
speeding up our reaction, the Alka-Seltzer was able to chemically react with the water in an
excessive amount of speed, making the balloon swell. When looking at this reaction and why it
takes place, according to the middleschoolchemisty.com, the students observed that the
SCIENTIFIC INQUIRY MIDTERM
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exothermic reaction is the combustion or burning of fuel like the gas in a kitchen stove. Even if
students have seen the animation of the combustion of methane (CH4) reacts with oxygen (O2)
from the air to produce carbon dioxide gas (CO2) and water vapor (H2O) and a lot of energy, this
too is what happened when you look at adding more than the recommended about of AlkaSeltzer to only a little bit of water.
SCIENTIFIC INQUIRY MIDTERM
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Reference
"Energy Changes in Chemical Reactions." Middle School Chemistry. American Chemical
Society, n.d. Web. 21 Mar. 2013.
Gregorius, Roberto. "Alka Seltzer Reaction." Alka Seltzer Reaction. DOE Office of Sceince,
Mar. 2006. Web. 21 Mar. 2013.
Hysell, Patricia. "Little Bits of History." Little Bits of History. Chemisty Critics, 21 Feb. 2011.
Web. 21 Mar. 2013.
"Student Science Experiments." Student Experiment 1. Bayer HealthCare LLC., 2012. Web. 21
Mar. 2013.