Foul Water Experiment
June. 18, 2013
Group: Rio, Nora and Juliet
Summer 2013
Dr. Forman
Lab Report: Foul Water
Abstract:
For this experiment my group's objective was to to purify a sample of foul water. We used three objectives: Oil-water separation, sand filtration, charcoal adsorption and filtration. Our results were great: we started off with a sample of dirty, foul water, then through our purifying steps (see procedure) we ended up with a clean sample of clear water!
Procedure:
Background...
My group and I were giving a sample of foul water in which, through this lab, we had to purify throughout a number of steps.
Statement of Purpose....
In this first lab my groups objective was to clean up a foul water sample by producing as much "clean water" as possible so a person could wash their hands in it (or simply state purify the filthy water).
First Part: Procedure
~ We used a clean beaker to obtain 100 mL of dirty water.
~ We then measured it's volume with a graduated cylinder.
The foul water we measured for our experiment.
Second Part: Oil-Water Separation
~ Our sample sat in the cylinder for a minute.
~ Then, with a pipet we carefully removed as much as the upper liquid (or oil) from the foul water.
~ We then placed it in a clean test tube.
~ Then, several drops of distilled water were added to the liquid.
A picture of the distilled water we used for our experiment.
~ After, the liquid (from the test tube) was disposed.
Third Part: Sand Filtration
~ With a paper clip, we poked small holes in the bottom of a disposable cup.
~ Then, (premoistened) gravel and sand layers were added to the cup.
~ After, we poured the sample to be filtered into the cup.
~ Next, we disposed the used sand and gravel.
Fourth Part: Charcoal Adsorption and Filtration
~ We, first, placed our folded pice of paper into a funnel.
~ Holding the filter paper in one position and moistening it slightly, the paper reseted firmly against the sides and base of the funnel cone.
~ Then, we placed the funnel in a clay triangle that was supported by a ring.
Our paper cone we used for charcoal adsorption and filtration
~ After, no more than one level teaspoon of charcoal in a 125-mL was placed in our flask.
~ Next, a water sample was poured in the flask.
~ After a lot of vigorous flask swirling, we poured the liquid through the filter paper.
The charcoal adsorption and filtration in action!
~ Finally, the now filtered water sample, dripped from the cone into our cylinder.
My group's now filtered water.
Results:
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My groups results!
Summary of these results...
My group and I worked together to achieve our goal: we purified our foul water from a dirty, smelling, brown liquid to a clean, odorless, clear liquid. The clarity, color and solid/oil presence changed throughout the lab as well as our volume (see chart). The most important step was the charcoal adsorption and filtration because that was the key step to purifying the water and we finally got our water to a clean, clear state.
My classes results (for Volume)
Summary of these results..
My classmates and my groups results seem to have almost been the same (volume [mL]) throughout the lab in the first few steps. We all started off with 100 (except Group C, which was really close) and the oil-water separation we remained in the 90s and 80s. The last two steps our numbers varied a lot from each other, however. Conductivity... Conductivity is the degree to which a specified material conducts electricity. 
Distill...
To purify (a liquid) by vaporizing it.
Aggregated Data...
A whole formed by combining several elements (that are typically disparate).
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THE END!
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What interested me:
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The Evolution of the Hand:
Making a Fist of It
How a dual-use bodily structure came into existence
What is a fist?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fist_(hand)
(click here to see more information about a fist [hand])
http://www.fightingarts.com/reading/article.php?id=510
(click here to see how to make a fist)
(click here to see more information about a fist [hand])
http://www.fightingarts.com/reading/article.php?id=510
(click here to see how to make a fist)
What interested me:
I was very interested in the fact that apes did not know how to manage a grasp of an object well, because I always thought they were the most capable primates that are the closest to humans. However, they cannot manage their hands very well!
Summary of the Article
There are different names for the end of the arm for different reasons. For example, if you use this body part to hold something it's called a hand. If you use it to hit someone, it's now called a fist. Other animals, like primates, cannot use this technique however. Apes cannot grip things very well. They use a different system called a precision grip. This is when someone holds an object between the pads of the finger tips and the pad of the thumb. Another way they hold objects is called the power grip (when all of the fingers and the thumb are wrapped around the object being grasped). For the homo sapiens' characteristic tool-crafting skills, these two grips are crucial because it has long been thought that the use of tools was the driving force behind the modern hand's proportions. The hand is, in fact, a weapon when it becomes a fist (more than teeth, claws, antlers, or horns). The hand (of even a chimp) is incapable of forming properly. Two things are crucial: 1. the way the fingers curl back on themselves, which leaves no empty space inside the fist, 2. the buttressing role of the thumb, which adds yet further stiffness. In conclusion, the fists are proper evolutionary adaptions, with their own history of natural selection.
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2. Then, we added three drops of sodium carbonate test solution to the well.
Lab Report #2: Water Testing
Group: Rio, Nora, Juliet
Abstract:
Our objective was to detect and identify certain substances or ions in water solutions. Our test was a qualitative test because we were looking for a presence or absence in our little mixtures. In our water testing lab, we tested distilled water by adding different substances to see if an ion was present.
Procedure:
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1. We placed 20 drops of solution into a well of a 24-well wellplate.
2. Then, we added three drops of sodium carbonate test solution to the well.
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| Before Na2CO3 |
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After: see the reaction in progress! (From clear to white just like that!) |
Iron Ion Test:
1. We placed 20 drops of solution into a well of a 24-well wellplate
2. Added one or two drops of potassium thiocyanate test reagent to the well.
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| Reference before KSCN |
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| After: the now blackened reference |
Chloride Ion Test:
1. We placed 20 drops of solution into a well of 24-well wellplate
2. Then we added three drops of silver nitrate test reagent to the well.
We had an error here! Our blank actually had a reaction! Oh no!
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| The different colors in our wellplate |