Gummy Bear Diffusion Lab
Daily Plan – A group
Day 1:
First –
Observe gummy bear, include texture, color, size (lwh), and weight.
Second –
Question / hypothesize
What happens if I soak a gummy bear
1. in plain tap water?
2. in distilled water?
3. in saturated salt solution (very very salty water)?
4. in ½ saturated salt solution (only one very salty water)?
Third –
Begin testing
Day 2:
First –
Make new observations
Second –
Subgroups (A/B) share data
Third –
You and Ms. Swahn will compile all classroom group data (look for skewed data)
as a group
Fourth –
Average class data
Days 3 and 4:
First –
Create a bar graph comparing the differences between the 4 changes use volume,
weight, or percent changes.
Second –
Analyze the results of your data
Third –
Answer lab questions
Fourth –
Draw conclusions and communicate the results in a paragraph using the
vocabulary osmosis, diffusion, hypotonic solution, hypertonic solution, isotonic,
and homeostasis. Make comparisons to plant and / or animal cells.
Chapter 4 Section 1 – Lab Grade
Gummy Bear Lab
Adapted 02/12 by K.M.Swahn
1
Gummy Bear Diffusion Lab
Part A: Choose two gummy bears from the container on your table. Observe and use the
equipment available to measure your gummy bears. Record all data in the data charts
provided. Paying close attention to the titles on the data charts.
Measurements:
• The length of your gummy bear should be measured from the top of its head to the
bottom of its feet to the nearest tenth of a centimeter.
• Measure the width at the widest point across the back of the bear to the nearest tenth of
a centimeter.
• Measure the thickness from the front to the back at the thickest point to the nearest tenth
of a centimeter.
• Calculate the volume by multiplying the length, width, and thickness. Round to the
nearest hundredth.
• Measure the mass using a triple-beam balance or other scale to the nearest tenth of a
gram.
• Calculate the density by dividing the mass by the volume. Round answer to the nearest
hundredth.
Part B:
Put one bear in the cup labeled ½ saturated salt solution. Add 30 ml of ½ saturated salt
solution to the cup and allow it to sit overnight.
On Day 2 BE VERY GENTLE WITH YOUR BEAR HE IS IN A VERY DELICATE
STATE! Using a spoon over the edge of the cup to hold the bear in drain as much water
as possible from the cup into the sink. Slide the bear carefully onto a paper towel. Repeat
the measurements from Part A and record your data in the correct portion of the chart.
Measure the lwh of the bear first then slide him back into the dried cup to be weighed.
Make sure no additional salt is on the cup or the bear.
Put one bear in the cup labeled distilled water. Add 100 ml of distilled water to the cup
and allow it to sit overnight.
On Day 2 BE VERY GENTLE WITH YOUR BEAR HE IS IN A VERY DELICATE
STATE! Using a spoon over the edge of the cup to hold the bear in drain as much water
as possible from the cup into the sink. Slide the bear carefully onto a paper towel. Repeat
the measurements from Part A and record your data in the correct portion of the chart.
Measure the lwh of the bear first then slide him back into the dried cup to be weighed.
Chapter 4 Section 1 – Lab Grade
Gummy Bear Lab
Adapted 02/12 by K.M.Swahn
2
Gummy Bear Diffusion Lab
Name _____________________________________________________Period_____
Group ____________________
Pre-lab: Find out the difference between distilled water and tap water.
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Observation Notes:
length
width
height
volume
mass
Initial
(beginning)
Tap water
Distilled
water
½ saturated
salt solution
Saturated
salt solution
Additional Initial Observations:
Additional Post Lab Observations:
Hypothesize (If … then) one for each of the four questions:
What happens if I soak a gummy bear…
1. in plain tap water?
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2. in distilled water?
________________________________________________________________________
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Chapter 4 Section 1 – Lab Grade
Gummy Bear Lab
Adapted 02/12 by K.M.Swahn
3
Gummy Bear Diffusion Lab
3. in saturated salt solution (very very salty water)?
________________________________________________________________________
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4. in ½ saturated salt solution (only one very salty water)?
________________________________________________________________________
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________________________________________________________________________
Calculate the classroom data averages and the percent changes:
Mass:
Initial
Average:
Tap Water
Distilled Water
½ Saturated Salt
Solution
Saturated Salt
Solution
Average:
Average:
Average:
Average:
Percent Change:
Percent Change:
Percent Change:
Percent Change:
Volume:
Initial
Average:
Tap Water
Distilled Water
½ Saturated Salt
Solution
Saturated Salt
Solution
Average:
Average:
Average:
Average:
Percent Change:
Percent Change:
Percent Change:
Percent Change:
Chapter 4 Section 1 – Lab Grade
Gummy Bear Lab
Adapted 02/12 by K.M.Swahn
4
Gummy Bear Diffusion Lab
Using the classroom averages create a bar graph of either the volume, weight or
percent changes.
Chapter 4 Section 1 – Lab Grade
Gummy Bear Lab
Adapted 02/12 by K.M.Swahn
5
Gummy Bear Diffusion Lab
Investigation Questions: Use science vocabulary. (osmosis, diffusion, hypotonic
solution, hypertonic solution, isotonic, and homeostasis)
Describe the effects of fresh water on the gummy bear.
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Using your notes and pages 84 and 85 of your science text describe or diagram what
is occurring in the plastic cup to the gummy bear.
Describe the effects of the salt solutions on the gummy bear.
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Using your notes and pages 84 and 85 of your science text describe or diagram what
is occurring in the plastic cup to the gummy bear.
What do you hypothesize would happen if I place the fresh water gummy bear in
the saturated salt solution for 24 hours?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Which change is greater - volume or mass? Explain.
________________________________________________________________________
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________________________________________________________________________
Was there a change in density? D=m/v
Tap Water
Chapter 4 Section 1 – Lab Grade
Gummy Bear Lab
Adapted 02/12 by K.M.Swahn
Distilled Water
½ Saturated Salt Solution
6
Saturated Salt Solution
Gummy Bear Diffusion Lab
Why would there be a change in density?
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________________________________________________________________________
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Pretend that the gummy bear is a cell which cell has the best surface area to volume
ratio?
________________________________________________________________________
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________________________________________________________________________
Conclusion:
Draw conclusions and communicate the results in a lab conclusion paragraph(s)
using science vocabulary. Try to make comparisons to plant and / or animal cell
diffusion and osmosis.
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Chapter 4 Section 1 – Lab Grade
Gummy Bear Lab
Adapted 02/12 by K.M.Swahn
7