Where the inspiration came from

Firstly, I have to thank Zek MIn for giving me this idea, on which I researched and found out interesting stuff!

Finalised project- Appendix D

APPENDIX D

Science Investigative Project

Project Proposal Form

Name:

Shi Yuexin ( 21 )

Sec 2/13

Topic of investigation :

Effect of different types of bags filled with water when a sharp pencil is poked right through it.

A	Observations made
	When a zip-lock bag is filled with water and then a sharp pencil is poked right through it without being removed, water doesn’t leak out of the bag. This is due to a special characteristic of the zip-lock bag (see below). What will happen if the same experiment is conducted on other different types of bags?
B	Research Question
	Does the type of bag affect whether a sharp pencil can be poked through it without water spilling out?
C	Hypothesis statement
	The type of bag does affect whether a sharp pencil can be poked through it without water spilling out.
D	A short summary of research done on the area of investigation
	The zip-lock plastic bag is made up of polymers, which are long chains of molecules that give the bag its ‘stretchy’ properties. When the sharp pencil is poked through a zip-lock bag filled with water, the pencil slips in between the molecules strands without tearing the other parts of the bag. Furthermore, the long chains of molecules even seal back around the pencil to prevent the water from leaking out. On the other hand, paper is mainly made up of cellulose which has weak hydrogen bonds. This may cause a whole paper bag to tear when a sharp pencil is poked through it when it is filled with water. Also, wet paper has weak fibres that will cause it to be torn more easily than dry paper. Thus, water would most likely spill out of a paper bag when it is poked through with a sharp pencil.
E	Bibliography (Please refer to RS Students’ Handbook in RS Folder on Inet regarding APA Style Format)
	-Steve Spangler Science The Leak-Proof Bag Retrieved from http://www.stevespanglerscience.com/ -Yahoo Answers! In terms of molecules, how does water soak a piece of paper? Retrieved May 26, 2011 from http://answers.yahoo.com/ -Yahoo Answers! It is much easier to tear wet paper than dry paper. Why? Retrieved May 26, 2011 from http://answers.yahoo.com/

Yet another idea

Dynamo has too many variables like size of stain, amount of washing load...that are hard to control. Zek Min gave me this idea that might work out. Do white candles burn faster than coloured candles? I think I will change it a bit and go home to test it out.

New Idea

http://static.productreview.com.au/pr.products/t/150x150/111839_dynamo.jpg

Dynamo - Superior Stain Removal

Yep, Dynamo laundry detergent! I was doing the laundry yesterday when this sudden idea just popped into my head. Dynamo claims to be this superior stain removal, but is it really? It has appeared on the tv commercials a couple of times, so I went online to search for these commercials. Surprisingly, it goes as far back to 1983. If you think about it, thats really old. Like 28 years. Twice my age. Hmmm.

If I am not wrong, these videos are in chronological order. From the least recent to the most recent. All these four commercials state to pour out one-third of a cup (in the first 2) or one cap-full (in the last 2) of Dynamo laundry liquid detergent, rub some onto the stain, and pour the rest into the wash.

Some things that I can investigate on:

1. Does the kind of fabric affect the removal of the stain?

2. Does the kind of stain affect its removal?

In the commercials, some of the stains used included ketchup, lipstick, gravy, food, clay.

3. Does the amount of Dynamo used affect the removal of the stain?

The ratio of volume of Dynamo to volume of laundry load.

4. Can the stain be removed with ordinary laundry detergent or washing powder, provided the dependent variables remain unchanged.

Pointe shoes

So, I really like the pointe shoes idea...

Some projects regarding pointe shoes:

1. The amount of weight a ballet dancer places on her toes when she dances en pointe. How it affects her toes and whether it causes other deficiencies in the body like stunted growth.

2. The different types of pointe shoes. How a ballet dancer knows which type is more fitted for her. How wearing different types may affect her dancing.

3. The life span of the pointe shoes. How the lifespan can be prolonged.

4. Center of balance when dancing on pointe shoes (the box). How if a ballet dancer is not on the box or is over the box will affect her dancing and body.

5. Can unexperienced people stand on pointe. People of different BMI. How long they can balance.

6. What dance shoes are made of. Materials.

After asking around, I think none of this will actually work. But I will still post it up.

I need ideas.

List of random things that I may want to work on.

1. water bubbles

2. potato chips

3. pointe shoes

4. fast food

These are actually things that I like and would be more interested in doing my project about them. So, hopefully some inspiration will come?