I have been given the task to prove a hypothesis by conducting an experiment.
Hypothesis: A candle will burn slower in a cooler environment.
Independant variable: Temperature of the room (three temperatures)
Dependant variable: Length of the candle after it has burned for 30 minutes
Constants (control variables): Type and length of candle, diameter of candle, and time that the candle is allowed to burn.
I have written the method for the experiment (please make any changes if identified):
Method
1. Gather equipment and three candles
2. Measure the diameter and length of the candles, ensuring that the measurements are similar or same for maximum accuracy.
3. Label each candle as A15, A20, and A30
4. Set three rooms to have their own temperature of 15°C, 20°C, and 30°C.
5. Set the first room to have a temperature of 15°C by using the air-conditioner and adjusting accordingly to reach 15°C. Check temperature with a thermometer.
6. Set the second room to have a temperature of 20°C. This should be near room-temperature. Otherwise a the temperature of an empty cupboard or even room temperature should be accurate enough. Make sure to check the temperature with a thermometer to ensure that the temperature is around 20°C.
7. Set the third room to have a temperature of 30°C. This should be near room-temperature, otherwise use a heater to adjust accordingly. Check temperature with a thermometer and make sure it is around 30°C.
8. Place each candle in their respective rooms.
9. Start the timer for 30 minutes.
10. After 30 minutes, extinguish the flames on the candles and measure the length of each candle with a ruler.
11. Record the results and compare the differences in length in contrast to the rooms that they have been placed in.
12. Repeat steps 1 - 11 at least 3 times to ensure reliability and accuracy.
Now I might sound stupid, but the main question I have is, how would I be able to represent the results from the experiment? Would the results be represented as a line graph or column graph?
Any feedback on the method or the question that I have would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your time.
I would suggest three line graphs each in different colours to show the rate at which the candles are burning.
Otherwise your experiment sound logical.
You may need an errors sections where you site that 1) the room temperature may vary slightly for each room making measurements inaccurate 2) the candles MUST be the same type brand etc so that they are as close as possible to the SAME to begin with.
Alright, that makes sense.
Thank you for taking the time to read my post and give feedback :)
Your method for the experiment looks well-designed and systematic. It seems like you have considered all the necessary variables and steps to ensure accuracy and reliability.
Regarding how to represent the results of your experiment, it would be more appropriate to use a column graph or bar graph rather than a line graph. This is because a line graph is typically used to show the correlation or trends between continuous variables over time or a continuous range, while a column or bar graph is used to compare discrete or categorical variables.
In your case, you are comparing the length of the candle after 30 minutes in different temperature conditions. Temperature is a discrete variable (15°C, 20°C, and 30°C) and not a continuous variable over a range of values. Therefore, a column or bar graph would be better suited for representing your results.
To create the graph, you can organize it with the X-axis representing the different temperature conditions (15°C, 20°C, and 30°C), and the Y-axis representing the length of the candle after 30 minutes. Each temperature condition will have its corresponding bar/column, and the height of the bar/column will represent the average length of the candle in that condition. You can also include error bars to show the variability in the measurements.
By visually comparing the different bar/column heights, you will be able to see if there is a noticeable difference in the length of the candle based on the temperature of the room.
Remember to label the axes clearly, provide a concise and descriptive title for the graph, and include any necessary units for measurements.
Overall, your experimental method looks good, and using a column or bar graph would be suitable for presenting your results. Good luck with your experiment!