experimental research topics about water

Research Topics & Ideas: Environment

100+ Environmental Science Research Topics & Ideas

Finding and choosing a strong research topic is the critical first step when it comes to crafting a high-quality dissertation, thesis or research project. Here, we’ll explore a variety research ideas and topic thought-starters related to various environmental science disciplines, including ecology, oceanography, hydrology, geology, soil science, environmental chemistry, environmental economics, and environmental ethics.

NB – This is just the start…

The topic ideation and evaluation process has multiple steps . In this post, we’ll kickstart the process by sharing some research topic ideas within the environmental sciences. This is the starting point though. To develop a well-defined research topic, you’ll need to identify a clear and convincing research gap , along with a well-justified plan of action to fill that gap.

If you’re new to the oftentimes perplexing world of research, or if this is your first time undertaking a formal academic research project, be sure to check out our free dissertation mini-course. Also be sure to also sign up for our free webinar that explores how to develop a high-quality research topic from scratch.

Overview: Environmental Topics

• Ecology /ecological science
• Atmospheric science
• Oceanography
• Soil science
• Environmental chemistry
• Environmental economics
• Environmental ethics
• Examples  of dissertations and theses

Topics & Ideas: Ecological Science

• The impact of land-use change on species diversity and ecosystem functioning in agricultural landscapes
• The role of disturbances such as fire and drought in shaping arid ecosystems
• The impact of climate change on the distribution of migratory marine species
• Investigating the role of mutualistic plant-insect relationships in maintaining ecosystem stability
• The effects of invasive plant species on ecosystem structure and function
• The impact of habitat fragmentation caused by road construction on species diversity and population dynamics in the tropics
• The role of ecosystem services in urban areas and their economic value to a developing nation
• The effectiveness of different grassland restoration techniques in degraded ecosystems
• The impact of land-use change through agriculture and urbanisation on soil microbial communities in a temperate environment
• The role of microbial diversity in ecosystem health and nutrient cycling in an African savannah

Topics & Ideas: Atmospheric Science

• The impact of climate change on atmospheric circulation patterns above tropical rainforests
• The role of atmospheric aerosols in cloud formation and precipitation above cities with high pollution levels
• The impact of agricultural land-use change on global atmospheric composition
• Investigating the role of atmospheric convection in severe weather events in the tropics
• The impact of urbanisation on regional and global atmospheric ozone levels
• The impact of sea surface temperature on atmospheric circulation and tropical cyclones
• The impact of solar flares on the Earth’s atmospheric composition
• The impact of climate change on atmospheric turbulence and air transportation safety
• The impact of stratospheric ozone depletion on atmospheric circulation and climate change
• The role of atmospheric rivers in global water supply and sea-ice formation

Topics & Ideas: Oceanography

• The impact of ocean acidification on kelp forests and biogeochemical cycles
• The role of ocean currents in distributing heat and regulating desert rain
• The impact of carbon monoxide pollution on ocean chemistry and biogeochemical cycles
• Investigating the role of ocean mixing in regulating coastal climates
• The impact of sea level rise on the resource availability of low-income coastal communities
• The impact of ocean warming on the distribution and migration patterns of marine mammals
• The impact of ocean deoxygenation on biogeochemical cycles in the arctic
• The role of ocean-atmosphere interactions in regulating rainfall in arid regions
• The impact of ocean eddies on global ocean circulation and plankton distribution
• The role of ocean-ice interactions in regulating the Earth’s climate and sea level

Tops & Ideas: Hydrology

• The impact of agricultural land-use change on water resources and hydrologic cycles in temperate regions
• The impact of agricultural groundwater availability on irrigation practices in the global south
• The impact of rising sea-surface temperatures on global precipitation patterns and water availability
• Investigating the role of wetlands in regulating water resources for riparian forests
• The impact of tropical ranches on river and stream ecosystems and water quality
• The impact of urbanisation on regional and local hydrologic cycles and water resources for agriculture
• The role of snow cover and mountain hydrology in regulating regional agricultural water resources
• The impact of drought on food security in arid and semi-arid regions
• The role of groundwater recharge in sustaining water resources in arid and semi-arid environments
• The impact of sea level rise on coastal hydrology and the quality of water resources

Topics & Ideas: Geology

• The impact of tectonic activity on the East African rift valley
• The role of mineral deposits in shaping ancient human societies
• The impact of sea-level rise on coastal geomorphology and shoreline evolution
• Investigating the role of erosion in shaping the landscape and impacting desertification
• The impact of mining on soil stability and landslide potential
• The impact of volcanic activity on incoming solar radiation and climate
• The role of geothermal energy in decarbonising the energy mix of megacities
• The impact of Earth’s magnetic field on geological processes and solar wind
• The impact of plate tectonics on the evolution of mammals
• The role of the distribution of mineral resources in shaping human societies and economies, with emphasis on sustainability

Topics & Ideas: Soil Science

• The impact of dam building on soil quality and fertility
• The role of soil organic matter in regulating nutrient cycles in agricultural land
• The impact of climate change on soil erosion and soil organic carbon storage in peatlands
• Investigating the role of above-below-ground interactions in nutrient cycling and soil health
• The impact of deforestation on soil degradation and soil fertility
• The role of soil texture and structure in regulating water and nutrient availability in boreal forests
• The impact of sustainable land management practices on soil health and soil organic matter
• The impact of wetland modification on soil structure and function
• The role of soil-atmosphere exchange and carbon sequestration in regulating regional and global climate
• The impact of salinization on soil health and crop productivity in coastal communities

Topics & Ideas: Environmental Chemistry

• The impact of cobalt mining on water quality and the fate of contaminants in the environment
• The role of atmospheric chemistry in shaping air quality and climate change
• The impact of soil chemistry on nutrient availability and plant growth in wheat monoculture
• Investigating the fate and transport of heavy metal contaminants in the environment
• The impact of climate change on biochemical cycling in tropical rainforests
• The impact of various types of land-use change on biochemical cycling
• The role of soil microbes in mediating contaminant degradation in the environment
• The impact of chemical and oil spills on freshwater and soil chemistry
• The role of atmospheric nitrogen deposition in shaping water and soil chemistry
• The impact of over-irrigation on the cycling and fate of persistent organic pollutants in the environment

Topics & Ideas: Environmental Economics

• The impact of climate change on the economies of developing nations
• The role of market-based mechanisms in promoting sustainable use of forest resources
• The impact of environmental regulations on economic growth and competitiveness
• Investigating the economic benefits and costs of ecosystem services for African countries
• The impact of renewable energy policies on regional and global energy markets
• The role of water markets in promoting sustainable water use in southern Africa
• The impact of land-use change in rural areas on regional and global economies
• The impact of environmental disasters on local and national economies
• The role of green technologies and innovation in shaping the zero-carbon transition and the knock-on effects for local economies
• The impact of environmental and natural resource policies on income distribution and poverty of rural communities

Topics & Ideas: Environmental Ethics

• The ethical foundations of environmentalism and the environmental movement regarding renewable energy
• The role of values and ethics in shaping environmental policy and decision-making in the mining industry
• The impact of cultural and religious beliefs on environmental attitudes and behaviours in first world countries
• Investigating the ethics of biodiversity conservation and the protection of endangered species in palm oil plantations
• The ethical implications of sea-level rise for future generations and vulnerable coastal populations
• The role of ethical considerations in shaping sustainable use of natural forest resources
• The impact of environmental justice on marginalized communities and environmental policies in Asia
• The ethical implications of environmental risks and decision-making under uncertainty
• The role of ethics in shaping the transition to a low-carbon, sustainable future for the construction industry
• The impact of environmental values on consumer behaviour and the marketplace: a case study of the ‘bring your own shopping bag’ policy

Examples: Real Dissertation & Thesis Topics

While the ideas we’ve presented above are a decent starting point for finding a research topic, they are fairly generic and non-specific. So, it helps to look at actual dissertations and theses to see how this all comes together.

Below, we’ve included a selection of research projects from various environmental science-related degree programs to help refine your thinking. These are actual dissertations and theses, written as part of Master’s and PhD-level programs, so they can provide some useful insight as to what a research topic looks like in practice.

• The physiology of microorganisms in enhanced biological phosphorous removal (Saunders, 2014)
• The influence of the coastal front on heavy rainfall events along the east coast (Henson, 2019)
• Forage production and diversification for climate-smart tropical and temperate silvopastures (Dibala, 2019)
• Advancing spectral induced polarization for near surface geophysical characterization (Wang, 2021)
• Assessment of Chromophoric Dissolved Organic Matter and Thamnocephalus platyurus as Tools to Monitor Cyanobacterial Bloom Development and Toxicity (Hipsher, 2019)
• Evaluating the Removal of Microcystin Variants with Powdered Activated Carbon (Juang, 2020)
• The effect of hydrological restoration on nutrient concentrations, macroinvertebrate communities, and amphibian populations in Lake Erie coastal wetlands (Berg, 2019)
• Utilizing hydrologic soil grouping to estimate corn nitrogen rate recommendations (Bean, 2019)
• Fungal Function in House Dust and Dust from the International Space Station (Bope, 2021)
• Assessing Vulnerability and the Potential for Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) in Sudan’s Blue Nile Basin (Mohamed, 2022)
• A Microbial Water Quality Analysis of the Recreational Zones in the Los Angeles River of Elysian Valley, CA (Nguyen, 2019)
• Dry Season Water Quality Study on Three Recreational Sites in the San Gabriel Mountains (Vallejo, 2019)
• Wastewater Treatment Plan for Unix Packaging Adjustment of the Potential Hydrogen (PH) Evaluation of Enzymatic Activity After the Addition of Cycle Disgestase Enzyme (Miessi, 2020)
• Laying the Genetic Foundation for the Conservation of Longhorn Fairy Shrimp (Kyle, 2021).

Looking at these titles, you can probably pick up that the research topics here are quite specific and narrowly-focused , compared to the generic ones presented earlier. To create a top-notch research topic, you will need to be precise and target a specific context with specific variables of interest . In other words, you’ll need to identify a clear, well-justified research gap.

Need more help?

If you’re still feeling a bit unsure about how to find a research topic for your environmental science dissertation or research project, be sure to check out our private coaching services below, as well as our Research Topic Kickstarter .

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Science in School

Watery world – hands-on experiments from earthlearningidea teach article.

Author(s): Giulia Realdon, Gina P. Correia, Xavier Juan, Guillaume Coupechoux, Ramanathan Baskar, Yamina Bourgeoini, and Chris King

Need inspiration for teaching about fresh water on Earth? Try these Earthlearningideas for classroom activities that can be performed with very little equipment.

The importance of water

Water is one of the defining features of the Earth. Most water is sea water (about 97%), while fresh water accounts for only 2.5%, most of which is ice. For liquid fresh water (0.8% of total water on Earth), the ratio of surface water/ground water is around 1:25.

Continental liquid water, despite being a tiny part of the Earth’s water stock, and unevenly distributed, is the part that most affects human life and drives important processes on land.

Water processes on land are connected to the global water cycle, which moves water and heat through the ocean, the atmosphere, the biosphere , and the continents.

“To understand, conserve, preserve, and protect water”, [ 1 ] it is important to understand the processes that take place on land, but also to connect them to the big picture of the global water cycle. This is especially true on a warming planet, where a growing population needs an increasing amount of a limited resource – clean fresh water – which is already affected by multiple anthropogenic pressures.

The importance of fresh water is central to one of the Agenda 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG no. 6 – Clean Water and Sanitation) identified by the United Nations. Climate change and population growth are already causing a global water crisis. Currently, a staggering 2.2 billion people around the world do not have safe drinking water. By 2050, about 5 billion people (more than half of the global population) are predicted to face water stress.

For all these reasons, in 2021, the Earth Science Week is focused on the theme of water, particularly its importance for living beings.

In this article, we present two practical activities that address water processes chosen from Earthlearningidea, a web collection of geoscience teaching activities. These activities address diverse topics present in school curricula based on the cognitive acceleration through science education (CASE) strategy, a recognized effective, constructivist approach to science teaching. [ 2 ] These activities are suitable for both primary and secondary schools.

All you need to celebrate Earth Science Week 2021 is your students. With a few materials, your skills, and your students’ interest, understanding and success are assured!

Activity 1 – From rain to spring: water from the ground

This activity shows how rain becomes groundwater that flows through the ground and then comes out in springs. From this model, you can visualize a hidden part of the water cycle usually misunderstood by students. [ 3 , 4 ] Groundwater pollution by toxic waste, in relation to the water supply for human uses, is also addressed.

The activity is suitable for students aged 10–18 and requires less than one hour, including setting up.

Safety notes

Once the equipment is ready, there are no relevant safety issues, although students should be instructed not to drink the water. If you use ink, students can wear disposable gloves to avoid staining their hands.

• a rectangular transparent plastic container (about 30 cm × 40 cm)
• a plastic tray to catch overflow
• washed sand to fill the container
• two plastic coffee cups with the bases cut out
• a wooden block to raise one end of the container
• two plastic separators cut from any plastic sheet
• water in a separate container; enough to overfill the sand container
• a spoon to excavate a ‘well’ or to bury ‘waste’
• model ‘waste’ made of paper (e.g., toilet paper) dipped in ink or food colouring
• Fill the container with sand and position the separators and cups as shown in the pictures.
• Using the spoon, bury the waste at different depths (one near the surface, one at intermediate depth, and the other near the bottom) in the three lateral sectors of the container.
• Raise the side of the container with the cups using the block (or side of the tray) and begin pouring water into the cups. Through the sides of the plastic container, you will soon see that the sand becomes wet, and the water flows ‘downhill’.
• Ask the pupils where the water is likely to come to the surface, as you continue to ‘top up’ the cups with water. Water will appear near the cups or at the lower end of the container – in each case, water emerges from the sand as a ‘spring’.
• Ask the pupils if they wanted to get water out of the ‘ground’ before it reached the ‘spring’, what they could do. The answer would be to dig or drill a well somewhere above the spring and pump out water. Ask a student to dig a hole with a spoon – the hole will soon fill with water.
• Ask the students from which depth the waste is likely to appear first, polluting the spring. Depending on how the model is set up, the waste can appear first from any of the three locations. The key point is that, no matter how deeply the waste is buried, it will always reach the surface, causing pollution, unless it is buried in leakproof containers or impermeable rocks.

Groundwater is of paramount importance for providing clean fresh water for human use. However, one of the less understood parts of the water cycle involves the location and movement of underground water, as shown by research. [ 5 ] For example, a common misconception is the existence of underground ‘lakes’ instead of water being retained in the pore spaces of aquifers.

To address the issue of groundwater being a key water source for human consumption, you can ask the students to research aquifers and water supplies in their region, and then ask them to explain similarities and differences between the model and real aquifers.

You can also stimulate the discussion by asking:

• Which is, in general, less polluted (by chemicals and/or microbes): surface or underground water? Why?
• What is the fate of waste and other chemicals (pesticides, fertilizers) dispersed in the ground?
• What is the best way to dispose of waste and toxic chemicals?
• Encourage them to research chemical accidents involving the dispersal of waste/toxic chemicals into the ground.

Activity 2 – The watery world of underground chemistry

If you want to explore the chemical processes of underground water, this activity gives the opportunity to reflect on the many processes that affect hidden water. Despite its technical simplicity, this activity can elicit a lot of reasoning, meaningful links with real-world processes, and a stimulating perspective on the interconnections between different Earth systems.

The activity is suitable for students aged 10–18 and requires less than one hour.

When using the pH indicator, wear eye protection; pH indicator is flammable; do not swallow

• tap water or rainwater (ca. 1 litre)
• universal pH indicator solution
• pH colour scale (printed)
• eye protection
• drinking glass
• a drinking straw
• a bottle of non-carbonated spring water

This activity works best outdoors but can be run in the classroom. Firstly, introduce pupils to the pH scale and how pH can be measured using universal indicator, providing examples. Then explore the journey of water in four steps:

• Tap water/rainwater : ask the students which colour/pH they expect to see in these liquids, then test them with the pH indicator.
• Soil water : pour water onto the ground. Ask what will happen to water in the soil, reminding students that the soil contains decaying vegetation (producing acids) and animals that are respiring (producing CO 2 ). Ask how one can mimic the effect of respiring animals on water. Have students blow for 30–60 seconds into a glass of tap/rainwater + pH indicator using a straw (the colour will change) and ask for their comments. Ask what then will happen to the acidic water in the soil (plant transpiration, evaporation, infiltration into the rocks below).
• Groundwate r: ask how acidic water is likely to affect the rocks (chemical reactions, e.g., with carbonate rocks), then ask what will happen to this water over time (downhill flow). Ask whether this water will come out of the ground; students will probably mention springs.
• Springwater : Following these discussions, ask what colour they would expect pH indicator to turn in spring water. Get out the bottle of spring water, open it, pour some into the glass, and test it with the indicator.

To summarize the activity, ask which of the Earth’s spheres have been mentioned in the discussion; many students will realise that the atmosphere (rainwater, origin of tap water), hydrosphere (trickling into the soil, soil water, groundwater, springs), lithosphere (soil and rock), and biosphere (animals and plants in the soil) have all been discussed. Highlight the multiple interconnections among the Earth’s spheres that make our planet a complex system, upon which humanity depends and plays an increasingly significant role.

About CASE: a successful approach to teaching science and more

Cognitive Acceleration through Science Education (CASE) is a teaching programme developed in the UK in 1981 and successfully tested in the following years. [ 1 ] It aims to improve cognitive skills through science teaching, grounded in the theories of Piaget and Vygotsky. [ 6 , 7 ]

The CASE methodology is based on five ‘pillars’:

• Concrete preparation: preparing the ground, ensuring familiarity with the apparatus, the terminology, and the problem being addressed.
• Construction: collecting data and detecting patterns in the data.
• Cognitive conflict: when new data does not fit the expected pattern, challenging students’ previous knowledge.
• Metacognition: reflecting on one’s own thinking, verbally or on paper.
• Bridging: applying this new understanding to new contexts and the real world.

[1] Geoff Camphire (2021) Earth Science Week 2021 Theme Announced: ‘Water Today and for the Future’ American Geosciences Institute

[2] Adey P, Shayer M, Yates C (2003) Thinking Science Professional edition. Nelson Thornes, London. ISBN-13: ‎978-0174386735.

[3] Ben-zvi-Assaraf O, Orion N (2005) A study of junior high students’ perceptions of the water cycle . Journal of Geoscience Education 53 :366–373. doi:10.5408/1089-9995-53.4.366

[4] Cardak ON (2009). Science students’ misconceptions of the water cycle according to their drawings . Journal of Applied Science 6 :865–873. doi:10.3923/jas.2009.865.873

[5] Brody MJ (1993). Student understanding of water and water resources: A review of the literature . Annual Meeting of the American Educational Research Association . Atlanta, GA.

[6] Piaget J (ed.) (1967) Logique et connaissance scientifique Editions Gallimard. Encyclopédie de la Pléiade, vol. 22. ISBN-13: 9782070104130

[7] Vygotsky, LS (1962) Thought and language.  Cambridge MA: MIT Press. ISBN: 9780262220033

• Find the original activities on the Earthlearningidea website:

–  From rain to spring: water from the ground and accompanying video with pedagogical guidance;

 – The watery world of underground chemistry ;

– Another Earthlearningidea activity on the water cycle .

• Teach your students about our water footprint: Kelly S (2020) Do you know your water footprint? Science in School 50 .
• Learn about the world’s water crisis .
• Experiment with phase transitions in water: (2021) States of matter & phase transitions . Science in School 51 .
• Read about the importance of oceans for climate change: Harrison T, Khan A, Shallcross D (2017) Climate change: why the oceans matter . Science in School 39 : 12–15.
• Have your students predict the weather: Birba M, Kondilis T (2016) Wind and rain: meteorology in the classroom . Science in School 38 : 36–41.
• Learn more about the properties of fresh water .

Giulia Realdon, Gina P. Correia, Xavier Juan, and Guillaume Coupechoux are European Geosciences Union (EGU) Education Field Officers for Italy, Portugal, Spain, and France, respectively. Ramanathan Baskar and Yamina Bourgeoini are International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS) – International Geoscience Education Organisation (IGEO) Education Field Officers for India and Morocco, respectively. All field officers are engaged in running teachers’ workshops based on Earthlearningidea activities in their respective countries.

Chris King is chair of the EGU’s Committee on Education, member of the Earthlearningidea team, and author of many Earthlearningidea activities.

The value of water to our world is immeasurable. The availability of this water that we can use is decreasing. With curricula changing to help our students recognize the value and importance of such resources, this article presents the perfect opportunity to support this. It is vital that we use opportunities to make visible processes that students cannot see; such as groundwater within the water cycle. The activities within this article could be used as a class demonstration, a class group activity, an activity challenge at home, a basis for discussions, or an idea for a student science project.

The authors have presented the information and activities very well for teachers wanting to deliver this material to their students. Connections are made to the water cycle as a ‘global’ water cycle. This emphasizes the ‘bigger picture’. I look forward to introducing the term ‘global’ to my teaching of the water cycle and these activities to support the learning.

This topic also demonstrates the links between geography and science, especially when it comes to human effects on the environment.

Sinead Kelly, Science and Biology Teacher, St. Olivers Community College, Ireland

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Experimental research on water chemistry evolution in case of inadequate conservation protocols: application on surface and groundwater

• Original Article
• Open access
• Published: 06 July 2021
• Volume 11 , article number  135 , ( 2021 )

Cite this article

You have full access to this open access article

• Dounia Dib 1 , 2 ,
• Nawel Ababsa 1 , 2 ,
• Dalila Addad 1 , 2 ,
• Kenza Kadi 1 , 3 ,
• Abdelkader Khiari 2 , 4 &
• Mounia Oualdjaoui 1  

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The objective of this study conducted from October to December 2020 in the Natural Resources and Sensitive Environment Development Laboratory was to demonstrate the importance of conservation protocols respect throw evolution of water chemistry. Ninety-nine samples representing three water types (tap, spring and mineral water) were analyzed. Storage was at laboratory temperature with no conservation protocol. Studied parameters (temperature, pH, CE, dissolved oxygen, oxydo-reduction potential, total dissolved solids, HCO 3 − , Ca 2+ , Mg 2+ , SO 4 2− and Cl − ) were determined using standard methods. The data registered from physico-chemical parameters were subjected to different analytical methods to assess the time affect on their values compared with initial state. The results indicate that pH and alkalinity (exprimed in HCO 3 − ) are the most vulnerable to evolution processes with highly significant time factor effect, while the concentrations of chlorides and sulfates with conductivity levels are statistically less evolved. PCA analysis accounting 71.43% of the total variance examines contribution of water type composition as a second variation factor. Projection through F1*F2 plan demonstrates clearly two groups with surface waters (tap water) which are excessively mineralized and groundwaters (spring and bottled waters) in which pH and magnesium parameters variations are the best illustrated.

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Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.

Introduction

Water chemistry deals with the fundamental chemical properties of water itself, the chemical properties of other constituents that dissolve in water, and the countless chemical reactions that take place in water(Theodore and Ryan Dupont 2019 ). Water chemistry is important because several factors about water to be treated and then distributed or returned to the environment are determined through simple chemical analysis. Probably the most important determination that the water practitioner makes about water is its hardness(Spellman 2020 ).

Good interpretation of water sample analysis results requires strict adherence to sampling and conservation protocols. There are two types of elements: those that must be analyzed immediately (without delay) and others—with preservatives—which can be stored for months until their analysis. Passing storage precautions may lead to a modification of waters composition (increasing or decreasing contents).

If a water sample cannot be analyzed immediately after collection, it must be stabilized until analysis to prevent or slow down various chemical or biological processes. Preservation techniques include pH control, addition of preservatives, temperature control and protection from light (Lallemand-Barrès 1993 ).

Several investigations tried to determine the effect of sampling temperature, bottle cleanliness and analysis time on the representativeness of the characterization(Ferland 2014 ). Using uncleaned bottles during sampling increase the Suspended solids and volatile suspended solids values and decrease the chemical demand of oxygen (COD), biological demand of oxygen (BOD 5 ), NH 4 + and PO 4 3− values compared to samples taken with clean bottles according to standard recommendations (Muirhead et al. 2006 ). Wastewater acidification allows the conservation of COD and BOD 5C . Freezing wastewater allows the conservation of BOD 5C and COD (Henze et al. 2008 ). A study by Nopens et al. ( 2001 ) demonstrates that a pH maintained at 3 in wastewater allows total and soluble COD to be retained. The main objective of this study was to determine the effect of exceeding storage standards on some parameters over a long period for that daily monitoring of three types of natural water was based on electrochemical measurements and some major elements were carried out.

Materials and methods

Samples choice.

This study has an essentially qualitative aim realized throw quantitative analysis. The hypothesis of having different behavior of evolution of the studied parameters led to the choice of three types of natural waters: tap water as surface water (drinking water from dam waters), spring water and bottled mineral water (Texanna) as groundwaters. The tap water and the spring water came from the region of ​​Oum el Bouaghi located in the north eastern Algeria and characterized by semi-arid conditions.

Ninety-nine samples were taken on October 15, 2020 andcollected in 500-ml polyethylene bottles completely filled to avoid contact with ambient air. Then, transported to the laboratory (The transport time was approximately 15 min), the first sample was immediately analyzed.

The rest of the samples were left at laboratory temperature and analyzed after every 48 h. In total, 33 analyses by water type were carried out at the Natural Resources and Sensitive Environment Development Laboratory (RNAMS) at Larbi ben m’hidi University, Oum el Bouaghi.

Temperature, pH, electrical conductivity, dissolved oxygen, oxydo-reduction potential and total dissolved solid were determined using the potentiometric method using a multi-parameter HANNA HI9829 type.

Alkalinity was determined by the titrimetric method using 0.02 N hydrochloric acid. Calcium and magnesium are also titrimetrically titrated with ethylene diamide tetra acetic acid (EDTA) in the presence of murexide and black erichrome, respectively, as color indicators. The chlorides were determined according to the Mohr method in the presence of silver nitrate solution at 0.0282 M (Rodier and Legube 2009 ).

UV–Visible spectrophotometry was used to determine sulfates in an acid solution with the presence of a combined reagent: barium chlorides and tween20 solution. Barium sulfates held in suspension are easily quantified at 420 nm wavelength (Rodier and Legube 2009 ). The results are expressed in milligrams per liter of each of the chemical parameters.

Data analysis

Statistical analyses were performed using Xl-STAT software. The descriptive statistics concerned electrochemical measurements and major elements. All three types of water and storage time were considered to be factors with three replications.

Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to make multiple comparisons. The means were compared and the differences were considered significant at the odds threshold at P  < 0.05.

Table 1 represents the conservation norms of water samples. Results obtained later will be compared to them.

Results and Discussion

Anova results.

Analysis of variance (Table 2 ) revealed the presence of a non-significant time (day) effect on electrical conductivity and total dissolved solids (TDS) and significant to a very highly significant effect on the rest of the measured parameters of the water samples. It also showed a very highly significant effect of water type on all measured variables except dissolved oxygen, which represents relatively similar values ​​in the three types of water (Table 2 ).

For the two parameters sulfate and chloride, the measurements are carried out weekly; therefore, they were separately exposed to an analysis of variance. This showed the absence of significant variations between the different weeks for two variables. On the other hand, it revealed the existence of a very highly significant effect of water nature on them.

Water chemistry evolution

Time effect on daily measured parameters, electrochemical parameters.

Temperature Since the analyzed waters are exposed to ambient temperature, their temperature is strongly influenced by its changes.Days 71, 43, 36, 15, 34, 17, 72, 39, 67 and 41 are characterized by relatively high temperatures, dropping from 20.53 ± 0.25° C to 22.1 ± 0.30° C, while the days 74 and 76 are characterized by low temperatures (15.47 ± 0.25 and 15.20 ± 0.26° C, respectively) and the rest of the days record intermediate temperatures (between 16 and 20° C).

pH Water pH is an important chemical property that controls the distribution of chemical species invarious forms. For example, the pH is buffered at precise values in animal cells to maintain the functionality of specific enzymes and proteins. It is important to measure water pH in Situ because samples are susceptible to temperature variations (Larson 1975 ; Kohlmann 2003 ).

In closed systems, every change in sample temperature induces a change in hydrogen ion activity. A diminution of 0.45 was recorded in pure water if the temperature is raised to 25 °C(Langelier 1946 ).

Water that is not in equilibrium with the atmosphere (groundwater) may change when exposed to the atmosphere; therefore, sample containers should be filled entirely without agitating and stirring and measured in a closed system if possible. Schock ( 2013 ) demonstrates the effect of CO 2 loss on pH when the sample is exposed to the atmosphere at 25 °C.

pH registered values show that the water concerned by this study has increased significantly (Fig.  1 b) compared with the initial state. It should be noted that there are no preservation methods for this parameter and the analysis must be carried out within 6 h after sampling.

Average effect of time on physico-chemical parameters: temperature in ( a ), pH in ( b ), CE in ( c ) and dissolved oxygen in (d)

In the first week, the pH values recorded of the waters are relatively low ​​(7.36 ± 0.55, 7.43 ± 0.56, 7.40 ± 0.44 and 7.45 ± 0.54 which constitute the G group). In the second week, the values ​​of this parameter increase and reach the maximum values ​​(7.86 ± 0.53, 7.90 ± 0.44, 7.94 ± 0.50 and 7.93 ± 0.51 and form the homogeneous group A, the rest of the weeks and until the end of the test the pH indicates intermediate values.

There are no agents that can stabilize alkalinity and acidity;these parameters are determined in the field immediately after sampling (Barcelona and Helfrich 1986 ; Barker and Dickhout 1988 );for that,results showed significant variations in time.

Electrical conductivity Micro siemens per centimeter is the used unit for EC measurements. Water conductivity may be controlled by various factors like geology, atmospheric inputs, evaporation, some microbial metabolism, etc.

Depending on which electrolytes are present, the electrical conductivity increases 1–3%/°C (Robinson and Stokes 1965 ). Therefore, electrical conductivity is typically reported at 25 °C to standardize the effect of temperature. The conductivity of natural water can be calculated from their chemical composition. Interpretation of results is based on temperature and TDS data.

Figure  1 c explores the daily variation of conductivity in the three water types. No significant variations were noted over 78 days. Separately represented, EC values correlations with temperature are most illustrated for tap water. This is probably due to their excessive mineralization.

Dissolved oxygen Dissolved oxygen (DO) is a vital component in determining the health of aquatic systems. Its rates are highly dependent on temperature, atmospheric pressure and biota metabolism (respiration and photosynthesis).

In the current study, atmosphere-water surface exchange is canceled. The statistical data analysis reveals a tendency for a decrease in dissolved oxygen over time. Studied waters were driven to anoxic conditions, the highest values ​​were detected at the start of the test; 17.13 ± 1.36 on the first day (group A) and 16.53 ± 3.07 on the thirteenth day (group C), while those lowest are recorded at the end of the test (9.2 ± 0, 6 on the last day, 8.92 ± 0.28 on the 71st day and 8.91 ± 3.62 on the 64th day thus representing group D).

Major anions and cations

Alkalinity (HCO 3 − ) The protocol for determining alkalinity by standard methodology is presented by Eaton et al. ( 2005 ). The traditional procedure for alkalinity is to measure how much H + is required to titrate a sample in the presence of methyl orange to the endpoint (about pH 4.5). The pH at the titration endpoint corresponds approximately to the point where an amount of H + has been added to react with all the OH − , CO 3 2− , and HCO 3 − in the sample to produce CO 2 and H 2 O. The milliequivalents of H + used in the titration multiplied by 50.04 mg CaCO 3 /meq is the alkalinity.

Limestone is a major source of alkalinity and hardness. This substance varies in composition ranging from CaCO 3 (calcite) toMgCO 3 .CaCO 3 (dolomite), but most limestone is a mixture of CaCO 3 and MgCO 3 in which CaCO 3 is most abundant (Bowles 1956 ).

The discussion of alkalinity evolution is possible only in the case of comparison with the temperature evolution curve. Carbon dioxide enters the water from the atmosphere and the respiration of aquatic organisms.

The solubility of CO 2 in water depends on atmospheric pressure, the concentration of CO 2 in the atmosphere, water temperature and salinity, according to the following formula:

CO 2  + H 2 O = H +  + HCO 3 −

In Fig.  2 , fluctuations in alkalinity expressed in HCO 3 − are a function only of temperature and salinity as the effect of atmospheric CO 2 and pressure are canceled. Variations are significant and the respect of sampling norms for this parameter is required (24 h).

Average effect of time on Anions in (a, b and c) and Cations in (d and e)

The bicarbonate values ​​oscillate between 16.94 ± 8.64 mg/l. The value marked on the 11th day is 105.39 ± 51.36 mg/l., and the value recorded on the 62nd day, an increase of 88.45 mg /l indicates the instability of this element during water storage.

Chlorures The mean values ​​of the chlorides of the studied samples pass from 95.56 mg / l; value recorded at the Third week at 133.33 mg / l; value marked at the 12th week. The contents of drinking water studied in this element represent values; statistically similar over the 12-week study.

Sulfate The average sulfate content of the three types of drinking water analyzed varies between 27.58 mg/l; value recorded at the 2nd week and 111.69 mg/l; value observed at the end of the test (12th week), i.e., a difference of 84.11 mg / l (Fig.  2 .c). This increase remains statistically insignificant, which requires the hypothesis of the stability of sulfate concentrations during the period of water storage, at least during the three months of testing.

Calcium Ca 2 + Calcium is an alkaline earth metal that is extremely common in nature especially, in calcareous rocks in the form of carbonates. A major component of water hardness, calcium is generally the dominant element in drinking water. Its levels vary essentially according to land geology.

Results revealed that initial calcium levels are relatively lower than final levels.

Magnesium Mg 2 + The temporal variation of the magnesium content of the water studied indicates the presence of an increasing trend over time with a correlation coefficient r equal to 0.67. This tendency has made it possible to highlight three homogeneous groups: groups A, B, and C.

Water type effect on daily measured parameters

As was observed by the analysis of variance, the effect of the nature of drinking water is very highly significant on all the parameters measured except dissolved oxygen. This means that there are significant differences between all types of water studied (Table 3 ).

The comparison of the means of the variables measured on the three types of drinking water indicates that tap water represents the highest values ​​for the majority of the parameters measured (temperature, electrical conductivity, redox power, the level of dissolved salts, bicarbonate, calcium, magnesium, sulfate and chloride) compared to other types of water, thus building group A. This water, on the other hand, has a relatively lower pH. Mineral water shows average values ​​of temperature and dissolved oxygen similar to tap water. For the rest of the parameters measured, its values ​​seem closer to that of spring water except the pH, where each type of drinking water falls into a different group.

Global data correlations (Principal component analysis)

Explaining variations and correlations in global hydrochemical and water quality data using PCA projections is widely developed. The purpose of this analysis is to transform the data table into a new orthogonal and uncorrelated set of factors called principal components (PC) and to extract significant information from the data. This new representation compresses the data by keeping only the most important information, simplifying the explanation, and exploring the structure and composition of the data(Abdi and Williams 2010 ). The proximity of lines for two variables signifies the strength of their reciprocal association (Qu and Kelderman 2001 ).

In the present study, PCA was applied (using XLSTAT software)to physical and chemical parameters (variables) of the ninety-nine groundwater samples (observations) from three water types to explain similarities and variations during a period of time.

Factor F1 (Fig.  3 ) explains 57.84% of the variance and correlated with 70% of variables (pH, CE, TDS, HCO 3 − , Ca 2+ , Cl − and SO 4 2− ). This factor represents highly mineralized waters (Tap water), in which water chemistry evolution is the best illustrated.

Factor F2 explains 13.59% of the variance. It has a negative correlation with dissolved oxygen and a positive correlation with ORP and Mg 2+ . This factor represents water enrichment by Magnesium associated with groundwater indicating intensive photosynthetic algae activity and microbial oxygen consumption. This factor demonstrates that the biological activity mainly influences spring and bottled mineral water.

PCA projections of variables and observations

Conclusions

Multivariate statistics were applied to hydrochemical data of three water types belong 78 days. This study shows the usefulness of analysis of variances (ANOVA) to identify significant relationships between measured parameters levels evolution with time. It also allows the understanding of the specific behavior of each water type and the complexity of factors that control water chemistry.

Applied methods explain modalities of temporal variability of eleven parameterswhich can be divided into (1) parameters with non-significant variations such as electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, sulfates and chlorides. It is important to mention that even their conservation protocols time is too long. (2) Parameters with significant variations such as calcium and (3) parameters with high signification such as dissolved oxygen, pH, bicarbonates, magnesium and ORP in which conservation delay do not exceed 24 h.

Filling and hermetic sealing of the bottle cannot be considered a means of long-term preservation, but it increases the storage time. To conclude, the correct execution of conservation protocols ensures the quality and reliability of the obtained results.

Further studies should incorporate the evolution of BOD 5 , COD and Organic matter for more parameters investigation.

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Dib, D., Ababsa, N., Addad, D. et al. Experimental research on water chemistry evolution in case of inadequate conservation protocols: application on surface and groundwater. Appl Water Sci 11 , 135 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13201-021-01467-5

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• Why We’re Unique

Water Cycle

Introduction: (initial observation).

Rain and snow are the main sources of fresh water for people living on the earth. Both rain and snow come from the clouds; but, where do the clouds come from? It often seems that clouds appear from nowhere. One minute the sky is clear and then a few minutes later clouds form. Sometimes clouds come from far places. Wind moves the clouds from one area to the other.

If you live near a lake, ocean or forest, you may have seen water vapors rising from wet surfaces and disappearing in the air. Is it possible that the same vapors become visible again when they get to higher elevations? If the clouds come from oceans, forests and other surface waters then why doesn’t the rain water contain salt and other pollutants that exist in rivers and surface waters?

Is it possible that only pure water evaporates and all impurities stay behind?

In this project you will study, observe and demonstrate the water cycle.

This project guide contains information that you need in order to start your project. If you have any questions or need more support about this project, click on the “Ask Question” button on the top of this page to send me a message.

If you are new in doing science project, click on “How to Start” in the main page. There you will find helpful links that describe different types of science projects, scientific method, variables, hypothesis, graph, abstract and all other general basics that you need to know.

Project advisor

Adult supervision and support is required for the experiments of this project.

Information Gathering:

Find out what happens to the water that evaporates. Read books, magazines or ask professionals who might know in order to learn about water evaporation, clouds and precipitation. Keep track of where you got your information from.

Following are samples of information that you may find:

The Water Cycle

Background Information:

Earth was formed 4.6 billion years ago, but water was not present from the very beginning. At some point, possibly because of the heating of hydrogen and oxygen as Earth developed, water vapor began to form in the atmosphere. About 3.8 billion years ago, oceans formed and the cycle began. The same water that you drink today has been around since the oceans formed. Water is an important part of life on this planet. The water cycle is a complex process that gives us water to drink and provides us with climates that allow us to have food to eat. The earth has a limited amount of water, which keeps going around and around. It is a very important cycle in that it allows for life and helps sustain life on earth. Seventy percent of the earth’s surface is covered by water. Yet only 1% of that water is in the form to be used by humans and land animals. Water constantly changes from solid to liquid to gas. This cycle is what we call the water cycle.

Evaporation, condensation, and precipitation are the cycles of the water cycle.

Evaporation occurs when the sun heats up water in our oceans, lakes, and rivers and turns it into vapor or stream. This water vapor leaves the oceans, lakes, and rivers and moves up into the air. The water vapor settles in the troposphere where it condenses.

Condensation happens when warm and cold air meets in the troposphere. The water vapors in the air get cold and excess water condenses into either liquid water or ice, which then form clouds. If enough of this water forms into clouds, rain will begin if the weather is warm. If it is cold, it will snow. This process is called precipitation.

Precipitation is when so much water has condensed that the air cannot hold it any longer. The clouds get heavy and water falls back to the earth in the form of rain, hail, sleet or snow.

Essentially water in liquid form turns into a gas, then into a solid, and finally back into a liquid in a never-ending process.

Suggested References:

Do some research on water cycles, and draw a diagram to help you further understand this important cycle of the earth. Once you understand the water cycle and have done some research on it, you can observe the cycle in your own home. The links below should be very helpful in this preparation process. They should be used as a complement to your own research.

If you live in the United States, there are 40 trillion gallons of water above your head on an average day. Each day, about four trillion gallons of this water fall to Earth as precipitation, such as rain, snow, or hail. Some of the water that falls to Earth soaks into the ground and provides runoff to rivers, lakes, and oceans. The remainder—more than 2.5 trillion gallons—returns to the atmosphere through evaporation, and the process begins again.

This continuous process of precipitation and evaporation is called the water cycle, or hydrologic cycle.

Source…

Evaporation:

Evaporation is when the sun heats up water in rivers or lakes or the ocean and turns it into vapor or steam. The water vapor or steam leaves the river, lake or ocean and goes into the air.

Sample Experiment to show condensation

In this experiment we will go through all the water cycles and recreate them at home to further understand how they affect the whole world.

You can observe condensation very simply with a few items from around your house. Pour cold water into a glass and put it out on a hot day. You will see water form on the outside of the glass after a few minutes. Water vapor in the warm air turns back into liquid when it touches the cold glass.

You can also view evaporation very easily in your home. Have a parent assist you with putting some water in a kettle, and letting it come to a boil. As the water in the kettle becomes heated, you can watch the steam rise out of the kettle. The water is evaporating into the air.

You can then take a ceramic plate and put it in your freezer for an hour. Then take the plate out of the freezer and hold it about 1 ft. over the steam rising out of the kettle. Be careful that the steam does not burn your hands. You will see water droplets form on the plate. This is then called condensation. If a lot of water condenses on plate, it will start dripping down and this in turn is called precipitation!

Conclusions:

In this same way that you viewed the water cycle in your home, the water cycle occurs on our earth. What is the importance of what you have just done? Summarize what you just observed in your experiments. Describe exactly what happened and try to think of the implications of these procedures.

Question/ Purpose:

What do you want to find out? Write a statement that describes what you want to do. Use your observations and questions to write the statement.

The purpose of this project is to display water cycle. Show how the light and heat energy from the sun evaporate water and distributes water around the earth.

Identify Variables:

When you think you know what variables may be involved, think about ways to change one at a time. If you change more than one at a time, you will not know what variable is causing your observation. Sometimes variables are linked and work together to cause something. At first, try to choose variables that you think act independently of each other.

As a display project, you will not need to identify variables. In higher grades you may want to study the effect of one specific factor on the rate of evaporation or condensation. That is when you need to define variables.

For example you may want to study the effect of temperature on evaporation of water. In this case temperature will be the manipulated variable. The rate of evaporation is the responding variable.

Another example is when you want to determine the evaporation rate in different days. (Experiment 3) . In this case the independent variable is the day. The dependent variable is the amount of water evaporation from one square foot surface water.

Hypothesis:

Based on your gathered information, make an educated guess about what types of things affect the system you are working with. Identifying variables is necessary before you can make a hypothesis.

In a display project, you will not need to identify variables.

Experiment Design:

Design an experiment to test each hypothesis. Make a step-by-step list of what you will do to answer each question. This list is called an experimental procedure. For an experiment to give answers you can trust, it must have a “control.” A control is an additional experimental trial or run. It is a separate experiment, done exactly like the others. The only difference is that no experimental variables are changed. A control is a neutral “reference point” for comparison that allows you to see what changing a variable does by comparing it to not changing anything. Dependable controls are sometimes very hard to develop. They can be the hardest part of a project. Without a control you cannot be sure that changing the variable causes your observations. A series of experiments that includes a control is called a “controlled experiment.”

Experiment 1: What evaporates?

Introduction : Rain and snow do not contain salt and other pollutants usually found in the sea or other surface waters. In this experiment you will test to see if such material may evaporate along with water.

Procedure :

• Make some salty-polluted water by dissolving some salt and some water color in a cup of water.
• Transfer your polluted water to a plate and leave it outside under the sun for water to evaporate.
• After a few days, see weather the salts and water color evaporated or if they remained on the plate.
• Based on the result, write your conclusion.

Experiment 2: Water Displacement?

Introduction : Evaporation, condensation and precipitation are parts of a process that transfer large amounts of water from oceans to dry lands all over the globe on a daily bases.

This process is called water cycle. Without this process rivers, forests and lakes could not exist. In this experiment we will examine the process of water cycle and see how water is transferred from one area to the other.

• Get a two compartment plastic container with a lid that seals perfectly. Make sure that the divider is shorter than the sides of the container; in this way air can freely flow between the two compartments.
• Place the container on a flat surface in a sunny place in your backyard and then place a piece of stone or a block of wood under one side of the container. In this way the container will be slanted to one side.
• Fill the elevated compartment in half with water. Carefully place the lid on and cover the lower compartment with an aluminum foil to keep it cool.
• After 7 days carefully open the container. What do you see in the lower compartment. Can water evaporate from one compartment and condense and precipitate in the other compartment?

Variations:

The above experiment can also be performed in a glass or plastic aquarium.

A slanted glass on top allows the condensations to go towards elevations that you may make using real soil or a block of Styrofoam.

Use plastic plants or dry plants on the elevations to simulate vegetations.

What if we have no sunlight?

A 100 watt flood lamp mounted about 1 foot above the water area can work like sunlight. You may use a timer or manually turn off an on the light every hour to create day and night conditions for your model.

Experiment 3: Rate of water cycle

Introduction : The water cycle starts by evaporation of surface waters and perspiration by plants, and it ends when the water comes back down to the earth in the form of rain or snow. In this experiment you measure and record the amount of water evaporating from surface waters in different days.

Who must do this experiment?

If you are required to have a data table and possibly a graph for your project, you may try this experiment. In most cases 8th grade students are expected to present a data table and a graph with their project report or project display.

Measure 250 milliliters of water in a graduated cylinder and then transfer the water to a flat, square cooking tray. Try to use a tray that has an area of one square foot. If you don’t have a tray that measure one square foot, you can make one using an aluminum foil placed over a cardboard.

Place the tray outside in an open space, away from animals and birds.

After 24 hours transfer the water back to the measuring cylinder and observe the difference. Record how much water was evaporated.

Repeat this experiment in 5 different days and record the amount of evaporated water per square foot. Also record the outdoor weather temperature on those days.

Your results table may look like this:

Calculate and write the average daily evaporation in the last row of your data table.

Make a graph:

You can use a bar graph to visually present your results. Make one vertical bar for each day you repeat your experiment. The height of bar will show the amount of daily evaporation on that day.

If for some reason such as rain or animals your results become invalid, you will have to ignore the results of such days. If you have time, you may repeat your test a few more days to have at least 5 days of reliable results.

Materials and Equipment:

Material used in the above experiments are:

• Water Color
• Clear plastic container with 2 compartment
• Plastic aquarium
• Light bulb (100 watt) to simulate sunlight

Results of Experiment (Observation):

Experiments are often done in series. A series of experiments can be done by changing one variable a different amount each time. A series of experiments is made up of separate experimental “runs.” During each run you make a measurement of how much the variable affected the system under study. For each run, a different amount of change in the variable is used. This produces a different amount of response in the system. You measure this response, or record data, in a table for this purpose. This is considered “raw data” since it has not been processed or interpreted yet. When raw data gets processed mathematically, for example, it becomes results.

Calculations:

No calculations are required for this project.

Summary of Results:

Summarize what happened. This can be in the form of a table of processed numerical data, or graphs. It could also be a written statement of what occurred during experiments.

It is from calculations using recorded data that tables and graphs are made. Studying tables and graphs, we can see trends that tell us how different variables cause our observations. Based on these trends, we can draw conclusions about the system under study. These conclusions help us confirm or deny our original hypothesis. Often, mathematical equations can be made from graphs. These equations allow us to predict how a change will affect the system without the need to do additional experiments. Advanced levels of experimental science rely heavily on graphical and mathematical analysis of data. At this level, science becomes even more interesting and powerful.

Conclusion:

Using the trends in your experimental data and your experimental observations, try to answer your original questions. Is your hypothesis correct? Now is the time to pull together what happened, and assess the experiments you did.

Related Questions & Answers:

What you have learned may allow you to answer other questions. Many questions are related. Several new questions may have occurred to you while doing experiments. You may now be able to understand or verify things that you discovered when gathering information for the project. Questions lead to more questions, which lead to additional hypothesis that need to be tested.

Possible Errors:

If you did not observe anything different than what happened with your control, the variable you changed may not affect the system you are investigating. If you did not observe a consistent, reproducible trend in your series of experimental runs there may be experimental errors affecting your results. The first thing to check is how you are making your measurements. Is the measurement method questionable or unreliable? Maybe you are reading a scale incorrectly, or maybe the measuring instrument is working erratically.

If you determine that experimental errors are influencing your results, carefully rethink the design of your experiments. Review each step of the procedure to find sources of potential errors. If possible, have a scientist review the procedure with you. Sometimes the designer of an experiment can miss the obvious.

References:

List of web references

Water Vapor

Q. Since this project doesn’t have results or data, then how would I set up the project board. Is there an Abstract, conclusion or a purpose?

A. In a display project you do the experiments and write down your observations as the experiment results. Project board will have drawings, pictures and writings similar to what you have in your project guide. In addition to that you also write your observations and what you have learned from your experiments. If you need to have a data table, you can repeat the experiment 2 in 5 different days and record the amount of water displacement every day. Then convert the values to the ratio of total water in the container.

It is always important for students, parents and teachers to know a good source for science related equipment and supplies they need for their science activities. Please note that many online stores for science supplies are managed by MiniScience.

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Why You Can Hear the Temperature of Water

A science video maker in China couldn’t find a good explanation for why hot and cold water sound different, so he did his own research and published it.

By Sam Kean

Most people are quite good at distinguishing between the sound of a hot liquid and the sound of a cold one being poured, even if they don’t realize it.

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Can You Hear the Temperature?

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If you said the first one was cold, congratulations: You’re in Dr. Agrawal’s majority.

In general, cold water sounds brighter and splashier, while hot water sounds duller and frothier. But until recently no one really had evidence to explain the difference.

However, Xiaotian Bi, who earned a Ph.D. in chemical engineering last year from Tsinghua University in Beijing, offers a new explanation in a paper he and colleagues published in March on the arXiv website. It’s all about the size of the bubbles that form during pouring, he says, and this insight may have implications for how we enjoy everyday food and drink.

Dr. Bi’s paper has not yet been through peer review, and he acknowledges that much more research is needed. But Joshua Reiss, a professor of audio engineering at Queen Mary University of London, who has also studied the acoustics of hot and cold water, said he was “on the right track, for sure.”

Discussions of the varying sounds of hot and cold liquids usually point to differences in viscosity as the culprit. But Dr. Bi wasn’t satisfied with that reasoning. He produces and stars in his own popular science videos , and decided that the sounds water makes at different temperatures was a good topic . He poked around looking for published research on the subject and came away disappointed.

“None of them gave a precise explanation,” he said, adding that it was “an unsolved mystery.”

So Dr. Bi decided to do his own scientific investigation, which would inform his video. He used his expertise in fluid dynamics to explore the role played by bubbles, which actually create most of the sound we hear in moving water. You can observe this in waves, which glide along silently until they break, at which point they fall and trap air that produces noise as the bubbles resonate briefly within the water.

Previous research showed that larger air bubbles in liquids produce lower-frequency sounds. Dr. Bi also found that the acoustical spectrum of hot water has more low-frequency sounds than the spectrum of cold water. He wondered, then, whether pouring hot water into a container would trap larger bubbles than pouring cold would, and whether that might explain the difference in sounds.

His hunch proved correct. Dr. Bi purchased a container with a spigot to dispense water in a controlled fashion, first at 50 degrees Fahrenheit, then at 194 degrees. High-resolution videos and photographs revealed that hot water consistently produced bubbles 5 to 10 millimeters in size, while cold water produced bubbles around 1 to 2 millimeters.

(That’s why the cold water is on the left side of your screen in video above, and the hot water on the right)

In addition to offering an explanation of something that people hear, the research also provides insight into how we enjoy food and drink in general. Consider coffee.

Coffee tastes delicious when hot, but gunky and bitter when cold. That’s because aromatic flavor molecules jump off the surface of hot beverages more readily. And that link between flavor and temperature can produce a Pavlovian response in coffee drinkers.

This is consistent with an observation by Charles Spence, a psychologist who heads the Crossmodal Research Laboratory at Oxford and has won an Ig-Nobel Prize for research on the links between sound and taste when potato chips are consumed. In a 2021 paper, he wrote that “the sound of temperature likely helps to subtly set people’s aromatic flavor expectations,” even if unconsciously.

“Very often we taste what we predict,” he said. It’s all part of what he calls the hidden “sonic seasoning” of food and drinks.

37 Water Science Experiments: Fun & Easy

We’ve curated a diverse selection of water related science experiments suitable for all ages, covering topics such as density, surface tension, water purification, and much more.

These hands-on, educational activities will not only deepen your understanding of water’s remarkable properties but also ignite a passion for scientific inquiry.

So, grab your lab coat and let’s dive into the fascinating world of water-based science experiments!

Water Science Experiments

1. walking water science experiment.

This experiment is a simple yet fascinating science experiment that involves observing the capillary action of water. Children can learn a lot from this experiment about the characteristics of water and the capillary action phenomenon. It is also a great approach to promote scientific curiosity and enthusiasm.

Learn more: Walking Water Science Experiment

2. Water Filtration Experiment

A water filtering experiment explains how to purify contaminated water using economical supplies. The experiment’s goal is to educate people about the procedure of water filtration, which is crucial in clearing water of impurities and contaminants so that it is safe to drink.

Learn more: Water Filtration Experiment

3. Water Cycle in a Bag

The water cycle in a bag experiment became to be an enjoyable and useful instructional exercise that helps students understand this idea. Participants in the experiment can observe the many water cycle processes by building a model of the water cycle within a Ziplock bag.

4. Cloud in a Jar

The rain cloud in a jar experiment is a popular instructional project that explains the water cycle and precipitation creation. This experiment is best done as a water experiment since it includes monitoring and understanding how water changes state from a gas (water vapor) to a liquid (rain) and back to a gas.

Learn more: Cloud in a Jar

5. The Rising Water

The rising water using a candle experiment is a wonderful way to teach both adults and children the fundamentals of physics while also giving them an exciting look at the properties of gases and how they interact with liquids.

6. Leak Proof Bag Science Experiment

In the experiment, a plastic bag will be filled with water, and after that, pencils will be inserted through the bag without causing it to leak.

The experiments explain how the plastic bag’s polymer chains stretch and form a barrier that keeps water from dripping through the holes the pencils have produced.

Learn more: Leak Proof Bag Science Experiment

7. Keep Paper Dry Under Water Science Experiment

The experiment is an enjoyable way for demonstrating air pressure and surface tension for both adults and children. It’s an entertaining and engaging technique to increase scientific curiosity and learn about scientific fundamentals.

Learn more: Keep Paper Dry Under Water Science Experiment

8. Frozen Water Science Experiment

The Frozen Water Science Experiment is a fun and engaging project that teaches about the qualities of water and how it behaves when frozen.

You can gain a better knowledge of the science behind the freezing process and investigate how different variables can affect the outcome by carrying out this experiment.

9. Make Ice Stalagmites

10. Bending of Light

A fascinating scientific activity that explores visual principles and how light behaves in different surfaces is the “bending of light” water experiment. This experiment has applications in physics, engineering, and technology in addition to being a fun and interesting method to learn about the characteristics of light.

11. Salt on a Stick

This experiment is an excellent way to catch interest, engage in practical learning, and gain a deeper understanding of the characteristics of water and how they relate to other substances. So the “Salt on Stick” water experiment is definitely worth trying if you’re looking for a fun and educational activity to try!

Learn More: Water Cycle Experiment Salt and Stick

12. Separating Mixture by Evaporation

This method has practical applications in fields like water processing and is employed in a wide range of scientific disciplines, from chemistry to environmental science.

You will better understand the principles determining the behavior of mixtures and the scientific procedures used to separate them by performing this experiment at home.

13. Dancing Spaghetti

Have you ever heard of the dancing spaghetti experiment? It’s a fascinating science experiment that combines simple materials to create a mesmerizing visual display.

The dancing spaghetti experiment is not only entertaining, but it also helps you understand the scientific concepts of chemical reactions, gas production, and acidity levels.

14. Magic Color Changing Potion

The magic color-changing potion experiment with water, vinegar, and baking soda must be tried since it’s an easy home-based scientific experiment that’s entertaining and educational.

This experiment is an excellent way to teach kids about chemical reactions and the characteristics of acids and bases while providing them an interesting and satisfying activity.

15. Traveling Water Experiment

In this experiment, you will use simple objects like straws or strings to make a path for water to pass between two or more containers.

Learn more: Rookie Parenting

16. Dry Erase and Water “Floating Ink” Experiment

The dry-erase and water “floating ink” experiment offers an interesting look at the characteristics of liquids and the laws of buoyancy while also being a great method to educate kids and adults to the fundamentals of science.

Learn more: Dry Erase and Water Floating Ink Experiment

17. Underwater Candle

In this experiment, we will investigate a connection between fire and water and learn about the remarkable factors of an underwater candle.

18. Static Electricity and Water

19. Tornado in a Glass

This captivating experiment will demonstrate how the forces of air and water can combine to create a miniature vortex, resembling a tornado.

Learn more: Tornado in a Glass

20. Make Underwater Magic Sand

Be ready to build a captivating underwater world with the magic sand experiment. This experiment will examine the fascinating characteristics of hydrophobic sand, sometimes referred to as magic sand.

21. Candy Science Experiment

Get ready to taste the rainbow and learn about the science behind it with the Skittles and water experiment! In this fun and colorful experiment, we will explore the concept of solubility and observe how it affects the diffusion of color.

Density Experiments

Density experiments are a useful and instructive approach to learn about the characteristics of matter and the fundamentals of science, and they can serve as a starting point for further exploration into the fascinating world of science.

Density experiments may be carried out with simple materials that can be found in most homes.

This experiment can be a great hands-on learning experience for kids and science lovers of all ages.

22. Super Cool Lava Lamp Experiment

The awesome lava lamp experiment is an entertaining and educational activity that illustrates the concepts of density and chemical reactions. With the help of common household items, this experiment involves making a handmade lava lamp.

Learn more: Lava Lamp Science Experiment

23. Denser Than you Think

Welcome to the fascinating world of density science! The amount of matter in a particular space or volume is known as density, and it is a fundamental concept in science that can be seen everywhere around us.

Understanding density can help us figure out why some objects float while others sink in water, or why certain compounds do not mix.

24. Egg Salt and Water

Learn about the characteristics of water, including its density and buoyancy, and how the addition of salt affects these characteristics through performing this experiment.

25. Hot Water and Cold-Water Density

In this experiment, hot and cold water are put into a container to see how they react to one other’s temperatures and how they interact.

Sound and Water Experiments

Have you ever wondered how sound travels through different mediums? Take a look at these interesting sound and water experiments and learn how sounds and water can affect each other.

26. Home Made Water Xylophone

You can do this simple scientific experiment at home using a few inexpensive ingredients to create a handmade water xylophone.

The experiment demonstrates the science of sound and vibration and demonstrates how changing water concentrations can result in a range of tones and pitches.

Learn more: Home Made Water Xylophone

27. Create Water Forms Using Sound!

A remarkable experiment that exhibits the ability of sound waves to influence and impact the physical world around us is the creation of water formations using sound.

In this experiment, sound waves are used to generate patterns and shapes, resulting in amazing, intricate designs that are fascinating to observe.

28. Sound Makes Water Come Alive 

These experiments consist of using sound waves to create water vibrations, which can result in a variety of dynamic and captivating phenomena.

29. Water Whistle

The water whistle experiment includes blowing air through a straw that is submerged in water to produce a whistle.

This experiment is an excellent way to learn about the characteristics of sound waves and how water can affect them.

Water Surface Tension Experiments

You can observe the effects of surface tension on the behavior of liquids by conducting a surface tension experiment.

By trying these experiments, you can gain a better understanding of the properties of liquids and their behavior and how surface tension affects their behavior.

30. Floating Paperclip

In this experiment, you will put a paper clip on the top of the water and observe it float because of the water’s surface tension.

31. Water Glass Surface Tension

Have you ever noticed how, on some surfaces, water drops may form perfect spheres? The surface tension, which is a characteristic of water and the cohesive force that holds a liquid’s molecules together at its surface, is to blame for this.

32. Camphor Powered Boat

The camphor-powered boat experiment is a fun and fascinating way to explore the principles of chemistry, physics, and fluid mechanics. In this experiment, a miniature boat is used to travel across the water’s surface using camphor tablets.

33. Pepper and Soap Experiment

The pepper in a cloud experiment is a simple and interesting activity that explains the concept of surface tension. This experiment includes adding pepper to a bowl of water and then pouring soap to the mixture, causing the pepper to move away from the soap.

Learn more: Pepper and Soap Experiment

Boiling Water Experiments

Experiments with boiling water are an engaging and informative way to learn about physics, chemistry, and water’s characteristics.

These investigations, which include examining how water behaves when it changes temperature and pressure, can shed light on a variety of scientific phenomena.

It’s important to take the proper safety measures when performing experiments with hot water. Boiling water can produce steam and hot particles that are dangerous to inhale in and can result in severe burns if it comes into contact with skin.

34. Make It Rain

This experiment can be accomplished using basic supplies that can be found in most homes, make it an excellent opportunity for hands-on learning for both kids and science lovers.

Learn more: Make it Rain

35. Fire Water Balloons

Learning about the fundamentals of thermodynamics, the behavior of gases, and the effects of heat on objects are all made possible by this experiment.

36. Boil Water with Ice

The Boiling Water with Ice experiment is an engaging and beneficial approach to learn about temperature and the behavior of water. It can also serve as an introduction for further discovery into the wonderful world of science.

37. Boil Water in a Paper Cup

The “boil water in a cup” experiment is an easier but powerful approach to illustrate the idea of heat transmission by conduction. This experiment is often used in science classes to teach students about thermal conductivity and the physics of heat transfer.

Similar Posts:

• 68 Best Chemistry Experiments: Learn About Chemical Reactions
• Top 50 Fun Food Science Experiments
• Top 100 Fine Motor Skills Activities for Toddlers and Preschoolers

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23 Ideas for Science Experiments Using Plants

ThoughtCo / Hilary Allison

• Cell Biology
• Weather & Climate
• B.A., Biology, Emory University
• A.S., Nursing, Chattahoochee Technical College

Plants are tremendously crucial to life on earth. They are the foundation of food chains in almost every ecosystem. Plants also play a significant role in the environment by influencing climate and producing life-giving oxygen. Plant project studies allow us to learn about plant biology and potential usage for plants in other fields such as medicine, agriculture, and biotechnology. The following plant project ideas provide suggestions for topics that can be explored through experimentation.

Plant Project Ideas

• Do magnetic fields affect plant growth?
• Do different colors of light affect the direction of plant growth?
• Do sounds (music, noise, etc.) affect plant growth?
• Do different colors of light affect the rate of photosynthesis ?
• What are the effects of acid rain on plant growth?
• Do household detergents affect plant growth?
• Can plants conduct electricity?
• Does cigarette smoke affect plant growth?
• Does soil temperature affect root growth?
• Does caffeine affect plant growth?
• Does water salinity affect plant growth?
• Does artificial gravity affect seed germination?
• Does freezing affect seed germination?
• Does burned soil affect seed germination?
• Does seed size affect plant height?
• Does fruit size affect the number of seeds in the fruit?
• Do vitamins or fertilizers promote plant growth?
• Do fertilizers extend plant life during a drought?
• Does leaf size affect plant transpiration rates?
• Can plant spices inhibit bacterial growth ?
• Do different types of artificial light affect plant growth?
• Does soil pH affect plant growth?
• Do carnivorous plants prefer certain insects?
• 8th Grade Science Fair Project Ideas
• Plant and Soil Chemistry Science Projects
• High School Science Fair Projects
• Middle School Science Fair Project Ideas
• Animal Studies and School Project Ideas
• Environmental Science Fair Projects
• Elementary School Science Fair Projects
• College Science Fair Projects
• Chemistry Science Fair Project Ideas
• 11th Grade Science Fair Projects
• Magnetism Science Fair Projects
• 9th Grade Science Fair Projects
• Science Fair Project Ideas
• 4th Grade Science Fair Projects
• Caffeine Science Fair Projects
• Science Fair Experiment Ideas: Food and Cooking Chemistry

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Top 100 Experimental Research Topics for School & College Students

Top 100 Experimental Research Topics for School & College Students: Are you a student looking for inspiration for your next research project? Research is a vital aspect of your educational journey, and choosing the right topic is often the first step to success. Whether you’re in school or college, finding a compelling experimental research topic can be a daunting task. But fear not! We’ve compiled a list of the top 100 experimental research topics to ignite your curiosity and help you embark on an exciting research journey.

What is Experimental Research?

Experimental research is a research approach that entails the deliberate manipulation of one or more independent variables to assess their impact on one or more dependent variables. It is widely regarded as the “gold standard” of research methodologies due to its capacity to establish causal relationships between variables.

Typically, experimental research designs involve the creation of two distinct groups: the experimental group and the control group. The experimental group is exposed to the independent variable, while the control group is not. Subsequently, the researcher compares the outcomes of these two groups to identify any disparities.

Two primary categories of experimental research designs exist: true experiments and quasi-experiments. True experiments employ random assignment of participants to the experimental and control groups, ensuring initial equivalency between the groups and minimizing alternative explanations for observed differences.

Conversely, quasi-experiments lack random assignment, potentially introducing disparities between the experimental and control groups at the outset, which may confound the results. Nevertheless, quasi-experiments can still be valuable in studying cause-and-effect relationships, particularly when random assignment is impractical or ethically challenging.

Experimental research finds applications across diverse fields such as science, medicine, education, and business. It serves as a potent tool for comprehending how various factors influence outcomes and for developing novel products and interventions.

Consider the following examples of experimental research :

A scientist aims to assess a new drug’s effectiveness in treating high blood pressure. Participants are randomly assigned to receive either the new drug or a placebo. After several weeks, their blood pressure is measured, and the results between the two groups are compared.

A teacher seeks to investigate the impact of various teaching methods on student achievement. Students are randomly allocated to different classrooms, each utilizing a distinct teaching method. At the end of the semester, the students’ test scores are compared to identify the most effective teaching method.

A marketing manager intends to evaluate the influence of a new advertising campaign on product sales. A random sample of customers is chosen and assigned to either view the new advertising campaign or not. After several weeks, sales data from the two groups are compared to determine the campaign’s effectiveness.

Major Types of Experimental Research Design

There are three main types of experimental research designs:

1. Pre-experimental research designs

Pre-experimental research designs are the simplest type of experimental design. They do not involve random assignment, and the researcher typically only tests one group of participants. Pre-experimental research designs are often used to generate preliminary data or to explore new research questions. However, they are not considered to be as rigorous as other types of experimental designs because they are more prone to confounding variables.

Here are some examples of pre-experimental research designs:

• One-shot case study design: The researcher tests a single group of participants after they have been exposed to the independent variable.
• One-group pretest-posttest design: The researcher tests a single group of participants before and after they have been exposed to the independent variable.
• Static-group comparison design: The researcher compares two groups of participants, one of which has been exposed to the independent variable and the other of which has not.

2. Quasi-experimental research designs

Quasi-experimental research designs are more rigorous than pre-experimental research designs because they involve some form of control group. However, they do not involve random assignment. Quasi-experimental research designs are often used in situations where random assignment is not feasible or ethical.

Here are some examples of quasi-experimental research designs:

• Non-equivalent control group design: The researcher compares two groups of participants, one of which has been exposed to the independent variable and the other of which has not. The two groups are not randomly assigned, but the researcher tries to match them on relevant characteristics to reduce the risk of confounding variables.
• Time series design: The researcher tests a single group of participants multiple times over time, both before and after they have been exposed to the independent variable.
• Interrupted time series design: The researcher tests a single group of participants multiple times over time, both before and after they have been exposed to the independent variable. However, there is an interruption in the time series, such as a change in policy or practice, that may affect the dependent variable.

3. True experimental research designs

True experimental research designs are the most rigorous type of experimental design. They involve random assignment and a control group. True experimental research designs are considered to be the best way to establish cause-and-effect relationships between variables.

Here are some examples of true experimental research designs:

• Randomized controlled trial (RCT): The researcher randomly assigns participants to either the experimental group or the control group. The experimental group is exposed to the independent variable, while the control group is not. The researcher then compares the outcomes of the two groups to see if there is a difference.
• Posttest-only control group design: The researcher randomly assigns participants to either the experimental group or the control group. The experimental group is exposed to the independent variable, while the control group is not. The researcher then measures the dependent variable in both groups after the experiment is complete.
• Solomon four-group design: This design is similar to the posttest-only control group design, but it also includes two additional groups: a pretest-posttest experimental group and a pretest-posttest control group. This allows the researcher to control for the effects of testing.

Experimental research is a powerful tool for understanding the world around us and developing new ways to improve our lives. By understanding the different types of experimental research designs, we can better evaluate the quality of research and make informed decisions about the findings.

Elements of Experimental Research

Experimental research typically comprises several essential elements that help structure and conduct a rigorous scientific investigation. These elements are crucial for designing, executing, and analyzing experiments effectively. Here are the key elements of experimental research:

• Research Question or Hypothesis : Every experiment begins with a clear research question or a testable hypothesis. This question or hypothesis specifies what the researcher aims to investigate or the relationship they seek to explore.
• Independent Variable : The independent variable is the factor that the researcher intentionally manipulates or varies in the experiment. It is the presumed cause and is under the researcher’s control. In some cases, there may be more than one independent variable.
• Dependent Variable : The dependent variable is the outcome or response that the researcher measures or observes. It is the variable that may be influenced by changes in the independent variable. The dependent variable is what researchers are trying to understand or explain.
• Experimental and Control Groups : To assess the impact of the independent variable, participants or subjects are typically divided into at least two groups: the experimental group and the control group. The experimental group is exposed to the independent variable, while the control group is not. This comparison helps determine whether any observed effects are due to the manipulation of the independent variable.
• Random Assignment : In true experimental designs, participants are randomly assigned to the experimental and control groups. Random assignment helps ensure that the groups are comparable and minimizes bias, increasing the internal validity of the experiment.
• Controlled Conditions : Experimental research strives to control and minimize the influence of extraneous variables, which are factors other than the independent variable that could affect the results. This control helps isolate the effects of the independent variable.
• Experimental Procedure : Researchers outline the specific steps and procedures that participants will undergo during the experiment. This includes how the independent variable will be manipulated, how data will be collected, and the sequence of events.
• Data Collection : Data collection involves gathering information about the dependent variable’s responses or outcomes. This is typically done through measurements, observations, surveys, or other data collection methods.
• Data Analysis : After data collection, researchers analyze the collected data using statistical methods to determine whether there are significant differences or relationships between groups. This analysis helps draw conclusions about the impact of the independent variable on the dependent variable.
• Replication : To enhance the reliability of experimental findings, replication involves repeating the experiment under similar conditions to see if the results can be consistently reproduced.
• Ethical Considerations : Researchers must adhere to ethical principles when conducting experiments involving human or animal subjects. This includes obtaining informed consent, ensuring participant well-being, and minimizing harm.
• Reporting and Communication : Researchers communicate their findings by writing research papers or reports that describe the experiment, its methods, results, and conclusions. This enables other scientists to assess and build upon the research.

These elements collectively form the foundation of experimental research, allowing researchers to systematically investigate and establish cause-and-effect relationships between variables in a controlled and methodical manner.

Top Best Experimental Research Topics for School Students

Natural sciences research topics for school students:.

• Investigating How Light Intensity Affects Plant Growth
• Exploring the Relationship Between Salt Concentrations and the Freezing Point of Water
• Comparing Battery Lifespan Among Various Brands
• Studying the Influence of pH on Enzyme Activity
• Examining the Effect of Magnet Strength on the Attraction Distance of a Paperclip

Behavioral Sciences Research Topics for School Students:

• Analyzing the Impact of Music on Concentration
• Contrasting Group Study and Individual Study to Assess Their Effects on Academic Performance
• Investigating the Influence of Reward Systems on Student Motivation
• Exploring the Role of Different Colors in Shaping Mood
• Assessing How Sleep Patterns Affect Academic Performance

Environmental Studies Research Topics for School Students:

• Investigating How Temperature Affects Composting Processes
• Assessing the Consequences of Water Pollution on Aquatic Life
• Exploring the Impact of Urbanization on Local Bird Species
• Studying the Influence of Different Soil Types on Plant Growth
• Examining the Effects of Acid Rain on Plant Growth

Best Experimental Research Topics for College Students

Social sciences research topics for college students:.

• Examining the Relationship Between Socioeconomic Status and Mental Health
• Analyzing the Influence of Media Portrayals on Body Image
• Investigating the Effects of Bilingual Education on Academic Achievement
• Exploring the Role of Social Media in Political Campaigns
• Assessing the Impact of Gender Stereotypes on Career Choices

Business and Economics:

• Evaluating the Influence of Online Reviews on Consumer Purchasing Decisions
• The Effect of Advertising on Brand Loyalty
• Analyzing the Impact of Corporate Social Responsibility on Profitability
• The Efficacy of Different Pricing Strategies on Sales
• Investigating the Relationship Between Employee Satisfaction and Productivity
• Effects of Economic Policy Changes on Small Businesses
• The Role of Market Research in Product Development
• The Impact of Globalization on International Trade
• Comparing the Performance of Different Investment Strategies
• Evaluating the Effects of Tax Policies on Economic Growth

Natural Sciences Research Topics for College Students:

• Investigating the Genetic Factors Contributing to Obesity
• Analyzing the Effects of Climate Change on Marine Ecosystems
• Assessing the Impact of Pesticides on Bee Populations
• Studying the Consequences of Pollution on Urban Wildlife
• Examining the Role of Microplastics in Freshwater Ecosystems

Applied Sciences Research Topics for College Students:

• Evaluating the Effectiveness of Machine Learning Algorithms in Predicting Stock Prices
• Analyzing the Significance of Encryption in Ensuring Data Security
• Investigating the Influence of Aerodynamics on Vehicle Fuel Efficiency
• Assessing the Impact of Material Properties on Bridge Stability
• Studying the Efficiency of Solar Panels at Different Angles

Health Sciences Research Topics for College Students:

• Investigating the Role of Exercise in the Management of Type 2 Diabetes
• Analyzing the Effects of Caffeine on Cognitive Performance
• Assessing the Impact of Plant-Based Diets on Heart Health
• Evaluating the Effectiveness of Various Physical Therapy Methods in Knee Rehabilitation
• Studying the Role of Mindfulness Meditation in Reducing Stress

Environmental Sciences Research Topics for College Students:

• Examining the Consequences of Deforestation on Local Climate Patterns
• Investigating the Efficacy of Different Oil Spill Cleanup Techniques
• Analyzing the Effects of Organic Farming on Crop Yield
• Assessing the Impact of Noise Pollution on Urban Wildlife
• Examining the Influence of Electronic Waste (E-Waste) on Soil Quality

Computer Sciences Research Topics for College Students:

• Comparing Various Sorting Algorithms for Efficiency
• Evaluating the Security Implications of Different Password Policies
• Analyzing the Impact of User Interface Design on User Experience
• Investigating the Role of Artificial Intelligence in Image Recognition
• Assessing the Energy Efficiency of Different Computer Processors

Economics Research Topics for College Students:

• Examining the Effects of Economic Policies on Inflation
• Analyzing the Role of Microfinance in Alleviating Poverty
• Assessing the Impact of Globalization on Small Businesses
• Investigating the Influence of Exchange Rates on the Export Market
• Evaluating the Relationship Between Unemployment and Crime Rates

Tips for Selecting an Appropriate Experimental Research Topic

Choosing the right topic is fundamental to the success of an experimental research project. Here are some valuable tips to assist students in this selection process:

• Interest : Opt for a topic that genuinely piques your interest. Your passion for the subject will serve as a motivating force throughout the research journey.
• Relevance : Pick a topic that aligns with your field of study. It should complement your academic objectives and enrich your comprehension of the subject matter.
• Feasibility : Ensure that the chosen topic is practical and feasible for research. Consider factors such as resource availability, time constraints, and ethical considerations.
• Uniqueness : Choose a topic that is original and distinctive. This not only enhances the appeal of your research but also contributes to the advancement of your academic field.

Conclusion: 100 Experimental Research Topics for Students

Experimental research is a pivotal component of scientific exploration. It empowers us to establish causal relationships, expand our comprehension of the world, and discover solutions to issues across diverse fields of study.

Engaging in an experimental research project can be a gratifying experience. It enables students to apply their knowledge, cultivate critical thinking and problem-solving skills, and make meaningful contributions to their academic discipline.

How climate change will affect malaria transmission

A new model for predicting the effects of climate change on malaria transmission in Africa could lead to more targeted interventions to control the disease according to a new study.

Previous methods have used rainfall totals to indicate the presence of surface water suitable for breeding mosquitoes, but the research led by the University of Leeds used several climatic and hydrological models to include real-world processes of evaporation, infiltration and flow through rivers.

This groundbreaking approach has created a more in-depth picture of malaria-friendly conditions on the African continent.

It has also highlighted the role of waterways such as the Zambezi River in the spread of the disease with almost four times the population estimated to live in areas suitable for malaria for up to nine months of the year than was previously thought.

The research entitled "Future malaria environmental suitability in Africa is sensitive to hydrology" was funded by the Natural Environment Research Council and is published today (9 May 2024) in the journal Science .

Dr Mark Smith an Associate Professor in Water Research in the Leeds' School of Geography and lead author of the study said: "This will give us a more physically realistic estimate of where in Africa is going to become better or worse for malaria.

"And as increasingly detailed estimates of water flows become available, we can use this understanding to direct prioritisation and tailoring of malaria interventions in a more targeted and informed way. This is really useful given the scarce health resources that are often available."

Malaria is a climate-sensitive vector-borne disease that caused 608,000 deaths among 249 million cases in 2022.

95% of global cases are reported in Africa but reductions in cases there have slowed or even reversed in recent years, attributed in part to a stall in investments in global responses to malaria control.

The researchers predict that the hot and dry conditions brought about by climate change will lead to an overall decrease in areas suitable for malaria transmission from 2025 onwards.

The new hydrology-driven approach also shows that changes in malaria suitability are seen in different places and are more sensitive to future greenhouse gas emissions than previously thought.

For example, projected reductions in malaria suitability across West Africa are more extensive than rainfall-based models suggested, stretching as far east as South Sudan, whereas projected increases in South Africa are now seen to follow watercourses such as the Orange River.

Co-author of the study Professor Chris Thomas from the University of Lincoln said: "The key advancement is that these models factor in that not all water stays where it rains, and this means breeding conditions suitable for malaria mosquitoes too can be more widespread -- especially along major river floodplains in the arid, savannah regions typical of many regions in Africa.

"What is surprising in the new modelling is the sensitivity of season length to climate change -- this can have dramatic effects on the amount of disease transmitted."

Simon Gosling, Professor of Climate Risks & Environmental Modelling at the University of Nottingham, co-authored the study and helped to coordinate the water modelling experiments used in the research. He said: "Our study highlights the complex way that surface water flows change the risk of malaria transmission across Africa, made possible thanks to a major research programme conducted by the global hydrological modelling community to compile and make available estimates of climate change impacts on water flows across the planet.

"Although an overall reduction in future risk of malaria might sound like good news, it comes at a cost of reduced water availability and a greater risk of another significant disease, dengue."

The researchers hope that further advances in their modelling will allow for even finer details of waterbody dynamics which could help to inform national malaria control strategies.

Dr Smith added: "We're getting to the point soon where we use globally available data to not only say where the possible habitats are, but also which species of mosquitoes are likely to breed where, and that would allow people to really target their interventions against these insects."

• Infectious Diseases
• Pests and Parasites
• Environmental Issues
• Environmental Awareness
• Global climate model
• Climate model
• Infiltration (hydrology)
• Pest (animal)
• IPCC Report on Climate Change - 2007
• Consensus of scientists regarding global warming
• Climate engineering

Story Source:

Materials provided by University of Leeds . Note: Content may be edited for style and length.

Journal Reference :

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143 Experiment Research Topics

Welcome to our collection of experimental research topics! Experiments are the cornerstone of empirical research, allowing scholars to test hypotheses and expand knowledge. With our experimental research questions ideas, you can uncover the diverse realms of empirical studies, from the natural sciences to social sciences and beyond.

🧪 7 Best Experimental Research Questions Ideas

🏆 best experimental research topics, 💡 simple experimental essay titles, 👍 catchy experimental research questions ideas, ❓ more experimental research questions ideas, 🎓 interesting experimental research topics.

• Bean Seed Germination Experiment Results
• Archimedes’ Principle Experiment: Determining Gravity of Objects
• Physical Health Indicator: Pulse Rate Experiment
• Static and Kinetic Friction: A Lab Experiment
• Experiment: Flame Test and Chemical Fingerprinting
• Water Quality and Contamination Experiment Report
• Human Transport Systems: The Pulse Rate Experiment
• “Stanford Prison Experiment Ethics” by Philip Zimbardo The primary purpose of Zimbardo’s work was to explore how quickly individuals would identify with corrections officers and prisoner roles during the prison simulation.
• Ideal Gas Expansion Law: Experiment The purpose of the experiment was to understand the differences between different types of ideal gas expansions, paying attention to the amount of work done.
• Miles Davis and Steve Reich: Geniuses of Experiments and Creativity Although Miles Davis’ and Steve Reich’s music belongs to different genres, they are connected in their constant search for a new sound by experimenting and improvising.
• Hawthorne Experiments – Elton Mayo With Roethlisberger and Dickson The Hawthorne theories have brought about a positive change in the behavior and attitude of the managers as well as the workers.
• Chemical Experiment on Enzyme Amylase This paper presents an experiment that was conducted to determine the activity of amylase on starch at various pH levels.
• Why People Obey Authority: Milgram Experiment and Real-World Situation Human beings would obey authority depending on the overall rewards, potential personal gains, and the consequences of failing to do so.
• John Watson and the “Little Albert” Experiment John Watson is considered to be the founder of behaviorism, a psychological theory that focuses on visible behavior while diminishing the notion of consciousness.
• Unethical Research Experiments Violation of ethical principles can be traced in two analyzed cases; only in Landis’s experiment harm and killing were real in relation to animals.
• Scientific Report Draft on Osmosis Egg Experiment Understanding how an egg reacts when placed in solutions of different concentrations enables one to understand the role of osmosis in the human body.
• Metal and Non-metal Redox Reactions Experiment The following experiment aimed to investigate Redox reaction and hence determine which elements were reactive; metal v. metal redox reactions, and non-metal v. non-metal reactions.
• Kant’s Ethical Philosophy and Milgram’s Experiments The problem for Kant’s ethical philosophy is whether moral principles are applicable to nonhumans, such as Galacticans.
• Inductor-Capacitor-Resistor Circuit Experiment The article presents the experiment that will demonstrate the relationship between an inductor, voltmeter, and resistor in an inductor-capacitor-resistor (LCR) circuit.
• Fiji Water Quality: Biology Lab Experiment Since Fiji water is among the popular brands in the US, it is essential to evaluate whether it is clean, that is, safe for human consumption.
• Acoustics Experiment in Brunel’s Thames Tunnel In this project, tunnels that exist below London streets for a variety of communications, civil defense, and military purposes will be used as the objects of the experiment.
• Virtue Ethics in Stanford and Milgram’s Experiments This paper investigates the notion of virtue ethics, discussing two major studies, the Stanford prison experiment, and Milgram’s obedience studies.
• Conducting a Titration Experiment Titration studies are conducted to quantify the amount of an unidentified element in the sample using a methodological approach.
• Air Pressure Experiment Methods and Results The plastic mesh fabric was placed over the mouth of the Mason jar, and the metal screw band of the latter was fastened firmly over the plastic mesh sheet.
• Metrology Experiment with Measurement Tools The experiment concerned testing the efficacy of the measurement tools such as the Vernier caliper, a depth gauge, a micrometer, and a gauge in an uncertainty analysis.
• Experiment on Effect of Energy Drinks on Athletic Performance Experimental research is a study that a researcher sets up to evaluate a given situation, such as a drug or treatment intervention.
• Ethical Analysis of the Tuskegee Syphilis Experiments The Tuskegee Syphilis Study failed to take into account several critical ethical considerations. This essay examines some of the ethical problems linked to the investigation.
• The Use of Animals in Psychological Experiments The method of experimentation is of great significance for multiple fields of psychology, especially for the behaviorist branch.
• Putnam’s “Twin Earth” Thought-Experiment Throughout the history of analytic philosophy, the problem of meaning has been and remains one of its central themes.
• Helicopter Experiment Assessment This report of a paper helicopter experiment involved designating a paper helicopter in varied designs and then dropping it severally while recording the flight time.
• Social Experiment: Wrong Outfit in a Wedding Event The attendees of the wedding event displayed disappointment, discomfort, and open resentment towards the dressing style.
• An Observable Experiment: Control Over the Variables An observable experiment is defined as the experiment in which the independent variables cannot possibly be controlled by the person or person setting the test.
• Osmosis Experiment With Parsnip Through Differing Concentration of Sucrose
• Identifying the Benefits of Home Ownership: A Swedish Experiment
• Experiment for Cancer Risk Factors
• Hydrochloric Acid Into Tubes of Water and Sodium Thiosulphate Experiment
• General Information about Monkey Drug Trials Experiment
• Reaction Rates Experiment Hydrochloric Acid
• Hydrochloric Acid and Marble Chips Experiment
• Physical Disability and Labor Market Discrimination: Evidence From a Field Experiment
• Canadian Advanced Nanosatellite Experiment Biology
• Dr. Heidegger’s Experiment: Reality or Illusion
• Experiment and Multi-Grid Modeling of Evacuation From a Classroom
• High-Performance Liquid Chromatography Experiment
• Social Capital and Contributions in a Public-Goods Experiment
• Illusory Gains From Chile’s Targeted School Voucher Experiment
• Short Selling and Earnings Management: A Controlled Experiment
• Theft and Rural Poverty: Results of a Natural Experiment
• Lab Experiment: The Effectiveness of Different Antibiotics on Bacteria
• Brucellosis and Its Treatment: Experiment With Doxycycline
• The Link Between Stanford Prison Experiment and Milgram Study
• Four Fundamental Results From the Mice Experiment
• P. Zimbardo’s Stanford Experiment A psychological experiment is an event conducted to acquire new scientific knowledge about psychology through the researcher’s deliberate intervention in the life of the examinee.
• The Milgram Experiment: Ethical Issues The Milgram experiment is a controversial study on the subject of obedience to authority figures. The participants were asked to deliver electric shocks to other people.
• Stanford Prison Experiment: Behind the Mask Stanford Prison Experiment organized by Stanford researcher Philip Zimbardo led to a strong public response and still discussed today.
• A Hypothesis and an Experiment: A Case Study On the control experiment, there would be a seed grown at normal aeration, and wind conditions. All should have a viable bean seed planted centrally on watered soil preferably.
• Milgram Experiment: The Question of Ethics This essay will discuss the Milgram experiment and also argue that it was ethical as medical research standards were met, and no undue harm to the participants was caused.
• Pasture Experiment: Fertiliser Treatments Response This work is an experiment that defines the role of fertilizers in pasture production and to establish the appropriate use of pasture sampling to assess pasture mass.
• Scientific Experiments on Animals from Ethical Perspectives This paper discusses using animals in scientific experiments from the consequentialist, Kantian deontological and Donna Yarri’s Christian character-based perspectives.
• Ethical Implications of the Early Studies in Psychology: Milgram’s Experiment Milgram’s experiment on obedience content and results are valuable for understanding the ethical issues that may occur in social and behavioral research.
• “Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment – The Deadly Deception”: Unethical Scientific Experiment “Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment – The Deadly Deception” reviews an unethical scientific experiment on humans that was conducted by White physicians on African-Americans.
• Lab Experiment on Animals’ Taste or Smell Senses The hypothesis of the study is that taste perception and detection of different sugars by insects were similar to that of humans.
• Bolted & Welded Connections and Tension Experiment Exploring and comparing the expected and actual failure modes of both bottled and welded connections in tension are the primary purposes of the paper.
• Ideal Experiment Design: Independent and Dependent Variables This work describes the ideal experiment, that is designed to verify the causal relationship between independent and dependent variables.
• Extraneous Variables in Experiments There are some variables in experiments besides the independent variables that usually cause a variation or a change to the dependent variables.
• Social Experiment: Informal Norms of Gender Issues The social experiment presents a contradiction between the socially-accepted norms and the understanding of equality between men and women.
• The Stanford Prison Experiment Analysis Abuse between guards and prisoners is an imminent factor attributed to the differential margin on duties and responsibilities.
• The Stanford Prison Experiment’s Historical Record The Stanford Prison Experiment is a seminal investigation into the dynamics of peer pressure in human psychology.
• Socioeconomic Status and Sentencing Severity Experiment There are two types of validity threats: external and internal. External validity refers to the degree to which the study can be applied to situations outside the research context.
• Psychology: Zimbardo Prison Experiment Despite all the horrors that contradict ethics, Zimbardo’s research contributed to the formation of social psychology. It was unethical to conduct this experiment.
• Post-Covid Adaptation Laboratory Experiment The goal of the laboratory experiment that this paper will outline is to test the hypothesis about the needs of senior citizens in the post-pandemic era.
• Psychology: Milgram Obedience Experiment Milgram’s experiment may be the last psychological experiment that has had a significant impact on psychology and public opinion.
• Predicting the Replicability of Social Science Lab Experiments The quality of work is the most significant factor for any academic organization. A research process for any scientific project requires careful evaluation of information sources.
• Moral Dilemma and Thought Experiments The aim of this essay is to set up a thought experiment in which a moral dilemma must be resolved. A person is invited to make a choice as a result of which people should suffer.
• Experiments in High-Frequency Trading High-frequency trading (HFT) is becoming increasingly popular with private businesses and traders. HFT allows traders to make transactions within fractions of seconds.
• The Ethical Issues in 1940’s U.S. Experiments With Syphilis in Guatemala The Guatemala tests have been viewed as a dark side of the U.S. clinical examination: in the 1940s, they purposely uncovered over 5,000 individuals with syphilis and gonorrhea.
• Isopods and Their Use in Experiments Isopod is a large family belonging to the crayfish order. The fact that isopods are good to use in various experiments is related to their habitat.
• Sociological Experiment: The Salience of Social Norms Based on the sociological experiment described in the paper, the author demonstrated the salience of social norms that exist in our culture.
• Thought Experiment: The Morality of Human Actions A thought experiment aimed at assessing the morality of human actions motivated by divine punishment or reward raises the question of morality and religion correlation.
• Blue-Eyed vs. Brown-Eyed Experiment Elliot exposed the learners to discrimination, in which blue-eyed children were initially preferred and given more privileges in the classroom than brown-eyed students.
• Experiment: Science Meets Real Life The experiment involves the sequential study of the dog’s behavior and its reaction to a change in some factors, such as food and bowl.
• Should Animals Be Used for Scientific Experiments? Unfortunately, at the moment, the use of animals in science and medicine cannot be excluded entirely. However, it is possible to conduct experiments using mathematical models.
• Smoking: An Idea for a Statistical Experiment The hypothesis is that people who smoke cigarettes daily tend to earn more than others: this is a personal observation that requires careful experimental testing.
• The Stanford Jail Experiment Critiques One of the most important critiques leveled at the Stanford Jail Experiment is the length of time it took Zimbardo to call a halt to the experiment.
• Can Nonrandomized Experiments Yield Accurate Answers?
• What Kind of Experiments Are Done on Animals?
• Is It Good to Use Animals for Experiments?
• What Are the Types of Experiments?
• Is There Any Healthy Way to Experiment With Drugs?
• What Are the Top Experiments of All Time?
• Are Breaching Experiments Ethical?
• What Does It Mean to Experiment With a Drug?
• Why Do We Use Factorial Experiments?
• How Does Temperature Affect the Rate of Reaction Experiment?
• What Are the Easiest Experiments to Do?
• How Can Rushing Harm the Data and the Experiment Overall?
• What Are the Steps to a Science Experiment?
• How Do Errors Affect the Experiment?
• What Is the Purpose of the Wax Experiment and What Conclusion Does Descartes Reach on Its Basis?
• Can an Experiment Be Invalid but Reliable?
• What Is the Most Influential Experiment in Psychology?
• Why Are Fruit Flies Used for Experiments?
• How Can You Improve the Accuracy of an Experiment?
• What Was Galileo’s Famous Cannonball Drop Experiment?
• What Can Knowledge Be Gained From Conducting a Breaching Experiment?
• How Do You Identify the Independent and Dependent Variables in an Experiment?
• What Was Griffith’s Experiment and Why Was It Important?
• What Is the Difference Between Contingent Valuation and Choice Experiment?
• What Is the Choice Experiment Valuation Method?
• Super Size Me and Jogn Cisna Experiments In comparison to Super Size Me, the experiment of John Cisna immediately stands out with a positive attitude towards fast food.
• Health and Medicine: Experiments and Discussions In the first experiment, researchers tested the subjectivity of polygraph examiners’ assessments. The specialist was given a specific name before the test began to do it.
• An Experiment in DNA Cloning and Sequencing The aim of this experiment is to clone a fragment of DNA that includes the Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) gene into the vector pTTQ18, which is an expression vector.
• An Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay Experiment In our society presently, immunoassay techniques used in data analyses have assumed a place of high significance, particularly as it applies to pure/applied research.
• Anaerobic Threshold: An Experiment Anaerobic Threshold refers to the minimum level below which no increase in blood lactose can occur. At levels above AT, supplementing aerobic production needs aerobic energy.
• Comparative Effectiveness of Various Surfactants: Experiment Surfactants refer to chemical substances that lessen the surface tension in water. This experiment aimed at establishing the comparative effectiveness of various surfactants.
• An Experiment on Data Mining Extend This experiment aims to utilize knowledge and principles of data mining in depicting the investigation of emergent data in biology- particularly on the development of ELISAs.
• Lab Experiment on Photovoltaics The experiment was done specifically to ascertain how various connected units could be coordinated to give a more reliable and controllable functioning.
• Mind Control: Ethics of the Experiment The topics of mind control and free will has always been seen as a morally grey area in terms of its research potential.
• A Personal Behavior Modification Experiment Using Operant Conditioning This research paper points out the positive outcomes of swearing: it can relieve stress and help one cope with emotional work.
• Jane Elliott’s Experiment on Discrimination The teacher Jane Elliott from Iowa decided to conduct an experiment demonstrating to her students what discrimination is and what it feels like.
• The Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment When the Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment was begun, over 75 years ago, no such principles were officially in place.
• The Power of Conformity: Asch’s Experiments The article examines a series of experiments by Asch that helped him identify the factors influencing social conformity.
• The Critical Characteristics of an Experiment The main aim of this assignment is to evaluate the thought control experiment by famous psychologist Ellen Langer and determine whether it is a qualitative experiment.
• Boston’s Experiment: Harvard Business Review’s Lessons In Harvard Business Review’s Lessons from Boston’s Experiment with The One Fund, Mitchell discusses his experience with fund distribution to the victims of the Boston bombing.
• The Stanford Prison Experiment Review The video presents an experiment held in 1971. In general, a viewer can observe that people are subjected to behavior and opinion change when affected by others.
• The Way to Come To Terms With Yourself: Social Distancing Experiment In this work, the author describes the course and results of an experiment on social distance: refusal to use gadgets, any communication, and going out.
• Experiment: Bacteria vs Antibiotics The experiment aimed was to test the reaction of bacteria towards some antibiotics and determine the effectiveness of those antibiotics in treating some diseases.
• Ethics: Experiments on Animals Industrial and biomedical research is often painful and most of the test ends up killing the animals. Experiments such as these often incur the wrath of the animal rights movement.
• Impact of the Stanford Prison Experiment Have on Psychology This essay will begin with a brief description of Zimbardo’s Stanford Prison Experiment then it will move to explore two main issues that arose from the said experiment.
• Medical Pharmacology: The Langendorff Experiment The Langendorff experiment aimed at using an ex vivo isolated rat heart preparation to demonstrate the pharmacological effects of two unknown drugs.
• Studying Organisations: The Hawthorne Experiments The Hawthorn experiments marked a new direction in research of motivation and productivity. More than half a century has passed, and productivity remains a concern of management.
• Chemistry of Cooking. Saffron Rice Experiment This research project outlines an experiment that aims to determine the temperature at which Saffron rice turns yellow.
• Worldview Changes After the Blindness Experiment Our senses are the central source of information about the world and events that happen around us. So, the loss of one of these is a significant challenge for a person.
• Evaluation of the Stanford Prison Experiment’ Role The Stanford Prison Experiment is a study that was conducted on August 20, 1971 by a group of researchers headed by the psychology professor Philip Zimbardo.
• Heat Transfer Rates in a Hot Jet: Experiment The experiment is aimed at determining the heat transfer rates in a hot jet. The reasons for the hot jet to have different heat rates in different areas will be determined.
• Inattentive Blindness in Psychological Experiment The features of the human consciousness not to notice quite obvious changes are natural and innate. Such blindness can be caused by several factors.
• The Stanford Prison Experiment The Stanford prison experiment is an example of how outside social situations influence changes in thought and behavior among humans.
• Situation, Institutional Norms, and Roles: The Stanford Experiment of Zimbardo Philip Zimbardo’s Stanford Experiment brought him critical acclaim. At the same time, it accorded him a certain level of notoriety; because of the methodologies he utilized to conduct the experiment.
• Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment: Ethical Controversy Tuskegee case set the background for the reconsideration of healthcare ethics, which means that the ethical value of the given case deserves reconsideration.
• Gender Stereotyping Experiment: The Level of Gender Stereotyping in Society The present study measures the effects of stereotyping women. It examines the first impression formed by subjects based on the information about a fictitious man or a woman.
• Psychological Studies and Experiments: Code of Conduct The following paper is based on past psychological studies i.e. Stanly Milgram’s ‘Obedience Experiment’, Philip Zimbardo’s ‘Stanford Prison Experiment, and Jane Elliott’s ‘Class Divided’.
• Using Animals in Medical Experiments This paper explores how the principles of the character-based ethical approach can be applied to the discussion of using animals in the medical research and experiments.
• The Stanford Experiment by Philip Zimbardo Philip Zimbardo’s Stanford Experiment shows that situational power and norms dictate the behavior of the individual more than the core beliefs that made up his personal identity.

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These essay examples and topics on Experiment were carefully selected by the StudyCorgi editorial team. They meet our highest standards in terms of grammar, punctuation, style, and fact accuracy. Please ensure you properly reference the materials if you’re using them to write your assignment.

This essay topic collection was updated on January 22, 2024 .

Science Bob

• Experiments
• Science Fair Ideas
• Science Q&A
• Research Help
• Experiment Blog

Okay, this is the hardest part of the whole project…picking your topic. But here are some ideas to get you started. Even if you don’t like any, they may inspire you to come up with one of your own. Remember, check all project ideas with your teacher and parents, and don’t do any project that would hurt or scare people or animals. Good luck!

• Does music affect on animal behavior?
• Does the color of food or drinks affect whether or not we like them?
• Where are the most germs in your school? ( CLICK for more info. )
• Does music have an affect on plant growth?
• Which kind of food do dogs (or any animal) prefer best?
• Which paper towel brand is the strongest?
• What is the best way to keep an ice cube from melting?
• What level of salt works best to hatch brine shrimp?
• Can the food we eat affect our heart rate?
• How effective are child-proof containers and locks.
• Can background noise levels affect how well we concentrate?
• Does acid rain affect the growth of aquatic plants?
• What is the best way to keep cut flowers fresh the longest?
• Does the color of light used on plants affect how well they grow?
• What plant fertilizer works best?
• Does the color of a room affect human behavior?
• Do athletic students have better lung capacity?
• What brand of battery lasts the longest?
• Does the type of potting soil used in planting affect how fast the plant grows?
• What type of food allow mold to grow the fastest?
• Does having worms in soil help plants grow faster?
• Can plants grow in pots if they are sideways or upside down?
• Does the color of hair affect how much static electricity it can carry? (test with balloons)
• How much weight can the surface tension of water hold?
• Can some people really read someone else’s thoughts?
• Which soda decays fallen out teeth the most?
• What light brightness makes plants grow the best?
• Does the color of birdseed affect how much birds will eat it?
• Do natural or chemical fertilizers work best?
• Can mice learn? (you can pick any animal)
• Can people tell artificial smells from real ones?
• What brands of bubble gum produce the biggest bubbles?
• Does age affect human reaction times?
• What is the effect of salt on the boiling temperature of water?
• Does shoe design really affect an athlete’s jumping height?
• What type of grass seed grows the fastest?
• Can animals see in the dark better than humans?

Didn’t see one you like? Don’t worry…look over them again and see if they give you an idea for your own project that will work for you. Remember, find something that interests you, and have fun with it.

To download and print this list of ideas CLICK HERE .

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Professor Emeritus David Lanning, nuclear engineer and key contributor to the MIT Reactor, dies at 96

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David Lanning, MIT professor emeritus of nuclear science and engineering and a key contributor to the MIT Reactor project, passed away on April 26 at the Lahey Clinic in Burlington, Massachusetts, at the age of 96.

Born in Baker, Oregon, on March 30, 1928, Lanning graduated in 1951 from the University of Oregon with a BS in physics. While taking night classes in nuclear engineering, in lieu of an available degree program at the time, he started his career path working for General Electric in Richland, Washington. There he conducted critical-mass studies for handling and designing safe plutonium-bearing systems in separation plants at the Hanford Atomic Products Operation, making him a pioneer in nuclear fuel cycle management.

Lanning was then involved in the design, construction, and startup of the Physical Constants Testing Reactor (PCTR). As one of the few people qualified to operate the experimental reactor, he trained others to safely assess and handle its highly radioactive components.

Lanning supervised experiments at the PCTR to find the critical conditions of various lattices in a safe manner and conduct reactivity measurements to determine relative flux distributions. This primed him to be an indispensable asset to the MIT Reactor (MITR), which was being constructed on the opposite side of the country.

An early authority in nuclear engineering comes to MIT

Lanning came to MIT in 1957 to join what was being called the “MIT Reactor Project” after being recruited by the MITR’s designer and first director, Theos “Tommy” J. Thompson, to serve as one of the MITR’s first operating supervisors. With only a handful of people on the operations team at the time, Lanning also completed the emergency plan and startup procedures for the MITR, which achieved criticality on July 21, 1958.

In addition to becoming a faculty member in the Department of Nuclear Engineering in 1962, Lanning’s roles at the MITR went from reactor operations superintendent in the 1950s and early 1960s, to assistant director in 1962, and then acting director in 1963, when Thompson went on sabbatical.

In his faculty position, Lanning took responsibility for supervising lab subjects and research projects at the MITR, including the Heavy Water Lattice Project. This project supported the thesis work of more than 30 students doing experimental studies of sub-critical uranium fuel rods — including Lanning’s own thesis. He received his PhD in nuclear engineering from MIT in fall 1963.

Lanning decided to leave MIT in July 1965 and return to Hanford as the manager of their Reactor Neutronics Section. Despite not having plans to return to work for MIT, Lanning agreed when Thompson requested that he renew his MITR operator’s license shortly after leaving.

“Because of his thorough familiarity with our facility, it is anticipated that Dr. Lanning may be asked to return to MIT for temporary tours of duty at our reactor. It is always possible that there may be changes in the key personnel presently operating the MIT Reactor and the possible availability of Dr. Lanning to fill in, even temporarily, could be a very important factor in maintaining a high level of competence at the reactor during its continued operation,” Theos J. Thompson wrote in a letter to the Atomic Energy Commission on Sept. 21, 1965

One modification, many changes

This was an invaluable decision to continue the MITR’s success as a nuclear research facility. In 1969 Thompson accepted a two-year term appointment as a U.S. atomic energy commissioner and requested Lanning to return to MIT to take his place during his temporary absence. Thompson initiated feasibility studies for a new MITR core design and believed Lanning was the most capable person to continue the task of seeing the MITR redesign to fruition.

Lanning returned to MIT in July 1969 with a faculty appointment to take over the subjects Thompson was teaching, in addition to being co-director of the MITR with Lincoln Clark Jr. during the redesign. Tragically, Thompson was killed in a plane accident in November 1970, just one week after Lanning and his team submitted the application for the redesign’s construction permit.

Thompson’s death meant his responsibilities were now Lanning’s on a permanent basis. Lanning continued to completion the redesign of the MITR, known today as the MITR-II. The redesign increased the neutron flux level by a factor of three without changing its operating power — expanding the reactor’s research capabilities and refreshing its status as a premier research facility.

Construction and startup tests for the MITR-II were completed in 1975 and the MITR-II went critical on Aug. 14, 1975. Management of the MITR-II was transferred the following year from the Nuclear Engineering Department to its own interdepartmental research center, the Nuclear Reactor Laboratory , where Lanning continued to use the MITR-II for research.

Beyond the redesign

In 1970, Lanning combined two reactor design courses he inherited and introduced a new course in which he had students apply their knowledge and critique the design and economic considerations of a reactor presented by a student in a prior term. He taught these courses through the late 1990s, in addition to leading new courses with other faculty for industry professionals on reactor safety.

Co-author of over 70 papers , many on the forefront of nuclear engineering, Lanning’s research included studies to improve the efficiency, cycle management, and design of nuclear fuel, as well as making reactors safer and more economical to operate.

Lanning was part of an ongoing research project team that introduced and demonstrated digital control and automation in nuclear reactor control mechanisms before any of the sort were found in reactors in the United States. Their research improved the regulatory barriers preventing commercial plants from replacing aging analog reactor control components with digital ones. The project also demonstrated that reactor operations would be more reliable, safe, and economical by introducing automation in certain reactor control systems. This led to the MITR being one of the first reactors in the United States licensed to operate using digital technology to control reactor power.

Lanning became professor emeritus in May 1989 and retired in 1994, but continued his passion for teaching through the late 1990s as a thesis advisor and reader. His legacy lives on in the still-operational MITR-II, with his former students following in his footsteps by working on fuel studies for the next version of the MITR core. 

Lanning is predeceased by his wife of 60 years, Gloria Lanning, and is survived by his two children, a brother, and his many grandchildren .

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