Experiments:
For our first round of testing we wanted to test the durability and pH of the water bubbles. We wanted to ensure our water bubble could withstand transportation and that the shell of the water bubble didn't affect the pH of the liquid inside and affect the safety of it. Look below to read our lab report on our two experiments and if you don't have a lot of time feel free to just take a look at our abstract.
Take Aways:
Changing the proportion of chemicals did not have an effect on the water bubbles durability. No matter the proportions, every water bubble popped when dropped at a height of 13 cm and stayed in tact when dropped from any height below that. However, each bubble did have a different force that popped it. This is because of their differing masses and the governing equation “Force = mass x acceleration”. However since each bubble was being dropped from a point in the air, the acceleration was acceleration due to gravity which is 9.8 m/s/s. This isolates the mass to be the sole variable in how much force it will take to pop the bubble. Through our testing, we discovered we can’t make it more durable by changing the proportions as we had hoped. However, we will continue to research more about chemical reactions, and possibly another chemical we could sub out the calcium lactate or sodium alginate for that would create a thicker, more durable shell.
During our experiment, we discovered that the calcium lactate and sodium alginate shell had no effect on the ph of the liquid inside. We took the ph of the liquid before it was inside the water bubble and after it had been sitting in the water bubble. In both tests, water and propel, we found that the ph was not affected and stayed the same. The water stayed at a healthy ph of 6 and the propel remained at a ph of 4. Testing acidity was helpful so that we knew what was in our product. If the pH was far too basic or far too acidic, it would have been vital for us to know that, and inform our customers about. We found that the acidity was within a healthy range and that modifying this was not necessary. We also found that the pH did not affect the bubbles durability over time, so when we left the bubbles in water for a week they lasted just like the regular water bubbles.
During our experiment, we discovered that the calcium lactate and sodium alginate shell had no effect on the ph of the liquid inside. We took the ph of the liquid before it was inside the water bubble and after it had been sitting in the water bubble. In both tests, water and propel, we found that the ph was not affected and stayed the same. The water stayed at a healthy ph of 6 and the propel remained at a ph of 4. Testing acidity was helpful so that we knew what was in our product. If the pH was far too basic or far too acidic, it would have been vital for us to know that, and inform our customers about. We found that the acidity was within a healthy range and that modifying this was not necessary. We also found that the pH did not affect the bubbles durability over time, so when we left the bubbles in water for a week they lasted just like the regular water bubbles.
Reflection
From our two tests, we were able to strengthen our design and ensure the safety of the water bubbles. It was important to know this information so that we could market them better and have a better idea of our design. We were abler to make them the most durable they could be and ensure they would survive transportation. We also ensured that the liquid wasn't affected by the shell which was crucial to know so we knew the product we were serving for consumption was safe. The testing went very smoothly and we were able to complete it all in about two days of school.