Name: ___________________________
Period: _______________
Bubble Gum Lab
Practicing metric measurements using bubble gum
Purpose: To investigate Bubble Gum and the changes in the bubble gum
as you chew the gum over a period of time. Students will practice the
steps of the scientific method, and explore the topics of mass, volume,
and density using a substance that most students crave.
Question: What happens to the mass, volume, & density of a
piece of Bubble Gum over time as it is chewed?
Collect Information: Using your background knowledge about finding
mass, volume, & density and the information on the piece of gum, list
seven pieces of information that will help you in your study.
Examples:
To find mass, I will use a Triple Beam Balance.
Mass is measured in grams.
a. ______________________________________________________
b. ______________________________________________________
c. ______________________________________________________
d. ______________________________________________________
e. ______________________________________________________
f. ______________________________________________________
g. ______________________________________________________
Hypothesis:
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
Experiment:
** Use only gum provided by your teacher, not your own!**
To test this hypothesis you will need to complete the following
experiment:
1. Find your control data: Use a wrapped piece of gum to find the
beginning mass, volume and density of this piece including the
wrapper. Record it on your record sheet. Remember to use the
correct unit of measure and the correct piece of equipment!
Your whole group can use this as the control. Throw control
piece of gum away after you gather data.
2. Use a clock or stopwatch to keep track of your time.
3. Have each member place a piece of gum in their mouths. Chew
vigorously for 3 minutes.
4. Roll gum in a ball with tongue. Place your chewed gum in your
original wrapper to find the new mass using a triple beam
balance. Record this information on your record sheet (use
correct units!). Record ALL group member’s data in your table!
5. Continue to repeat steps 2 and 3 for a totally of 4 intervals and
record all data in the appropriate place on your record sheet.
6. After the fourth interval, find the volume of your gum using
displacement (graduated cylinder). Record this information on
your record sheet.
7. Discard all gum correctly in trash can with liner!
Control Data:
Control Mass:
Control Volume:
Control Density:
Experiment Data:
Scientist
Initials
Mass
After 3
Minutes
Mass
After 6
Minutes
Mass
After 9
Minutes
Mass After
12 Minutes
(Ending
Mass)
Ending
Volume
Ending
Density
Analyze Data: Create a line graph to show the change in the mass of
your gum over time for ALL group members on the graph paper
provided. Be sure to use all properties of a good graph (title, labels,
data, neat, etc.) When you create your line graph, keep these thoughts
in mind:
•
All of your group members’ data will be graphed together – use a
key to show differences in group members. Use difference
colors to show the differences in group members.
•
Label your x-axis time (minutes) and your y-axis mass (grams)
Graph Check List:
____ Title? ____ Labels? ____ Key?
____ All group members included?
Conclusion: Write a conclusion in the space provided answering the
original question. Your conclusion should be at least two paragraphs
long and contain the following information:
a. Did your results support or deny your hypothesis?
b. What was responsible for the change?
c. Did all group members get the same results? Why or why not?
d. Where/what are the substances responsible for the change?
e. What is left in the gum?
f. What could you do to improve your study next time?
g. What future research/experiments could be done to further
your study?
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________