Psssst!
Always ask an adult about mixing chemicals. Some things are not safe to mix.
Chemistry facts can be used as science fair project topics.
- Even though the chemistry facts you find in texts may be true, you are to treat them as if they are not true.
- Following is an example of how to turn a fact into a science fair question. Note that the statement contains an independent variable as well as a dependent variable. These are the two things you need in order to write your science project question.
Statement: The density of an object affects its buoyancy.
1. Two things are being compared: density and buoyancy.
Think!
Research density. What is density? Does the density of an object change? How can you determine the density of an object?
Research buoyancy. What is buoyancy? How can you tell if one object is more buoyant than another?
Can the density and buoyancy of objects be experimentally compared? If so, do you have the materials to make this comparison? Always check to make sure that materials are available or that they can be obtained.
2. You have information about the two variables that will be prepared. You are ready to construct your question.
Think!
Statement: The density of an object affects its buoyancy.
Density affects buoyancy, so density is the independent variable, and buoyancy is the dependent variable. In other words, density is the cause and buoyancy is affected.
You do not have to use the following form, but it will help you to understand the parts needed for a project question.
Form Question:
How does (a change in the independent variable) affect (how the dependent variable changes)?
Question:
How does changing the density of an object affect the object’s buoyancy?