Plant ExperimentPlant Experiment

Johnny and TommyJohnny and Tommy

Block 1Block 1

Sept. 18, 2008Sept. 18, 2008

Problem IdentificationProblem Identification

Do plants grow faster Do plants grow faster using microwaved using microwaved

water?water?

HypothesisHypothesis We think that if you water a plant with We think that if you water a plant with

microwaved water it will grow slower microwaved water it will grow slower than a plant watered with regular water.than a plant watered with regular water.

MaterialsMaterials WaterWater MicrowaveMicrowave 18 bean seeds18 bean seeds 6 pots6 pots DirtDirt Graduated cylinderGraduated cylinder

PaperPaper RulerRuler Writing utensilWriting utensil Data tablesData tables Tape or marker for Tape or marker for

labeling potslabeling pots

Experiment ProceduresExperiment Procedures

1.1. Label one pot A1, one A2 and one A3.Label one pot A1, one A2 and one A3.2.2. Label another pot B1, one B2 and the last one B3.Label another pot B1, one B2 and the last one B3.3.3. Fill each pot ¾ full of dirt.Fill each pot ¾ full of dirt.4.4. Plant 3 bean seeds in each pot. Placing each one ½ Plant 3 bean seeds in each pot. Placing each one ½

inch into the soil.inch into the soil.5.5. Microwave 60 mL of water until it boils. Let cool.Microwave 60 mL of water until it boils. Let cool.6.6. Water the A plants with 20 mL of regular tap water Water the A plants with 20 mL of regular tap water

every other day.every other day.7.7. Water the B plants with 20 mL of microwaved tap Water the B plants with 20 mL of microwaved tap

water every other day.water every other day.

Experiment procedures continuedExperiment procedures continued

8.8. Record in a data table the date experiment Record in a data table the date experiment began.began.

9.9. Watch for germination. When the seed Watch for germination. When the seed begins to grow record plant height daily.begins to grow record plant height daily.

10.10. Measure the seed that begins to grow first Measure the seed that begins to grow first and ignore the other seeds in that pot.and ignore the other seeds in that pot.

11.11. Record data daily.Record data daily.

Data for Plant AData for Plant AHeight of plant in centimetersHeight of plant in centimeters

Day of Day of experimentexperiment

A1A1 A2A2 A3A3

Day 1Day 1 00 00 00

Day 6Day 6 11 .5 .5 22

Day 7Day 7 33 3 3 3.53.5

Day 8Day 8 44 4 4 4 4

Day 9Day 9 66 7 7 8 8

Day 10Day 10 88 8 8 10 10

Day 13Day 13 1414 14 14 16 16

Day 14Day 14 1818 16 16 18 18

Data for Plant BData for Plant B

Height of plant in centimetersHeight of plant in centimeters

DateDate B1B1 B2B2 B3B3

Day 1Day 1 00 00 00

Day 8Day 8 1 1 1 1 2 2

Day 9Day 9 2 2 22 33

Day 10Day 10 4 4 6 6 4 4

Day 13Day 13 5 5 8 8 8 8

Day 14Day 14 8 8 8 8 10 10

Day 15Day 15 12 12 12 12 10 10

Day 16Day 16 16 16 13 13 12 12

Analyzing DataAnalyzing Data

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

18

20

A 1 A 2 A 3

Hei

ght

in C

m

Plant

Growth of Plant A

Analyzing DataAnalyzing Data

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

18

20

B 1 B 2 B 3

Hei

ght

in C

M

Plant

Growth of Plant B

Pictures of ExperimentPictures of Experiment

Mean, Median and RangeMean, Median and Range

Plants watered with Plants watered with Tap WaterTap Water

Mean:Mean: 18 + 16 + 18 = 18 + 16 + 18 = 52/3 = 17.5cm52/3 = 17.5cm

Median:Median:

16, 18, 18 = 1816, 18, 18 = 18 Range:Range: 18-16 = 2 18-16 = 2

Plants watered with Plants watered with Microwaved waterMicrowaved water

Mean:Mean: 16 + 13 + 12 = 16 + 13 + 12 = 41/3= 13.6641/3= 13.66

Median:Median:

12, 13, 16 = 1312, 13, 16 = 13 Range:Range: 16-12 = 4 16-12 = 4

Draw ConclusionsDraw Conclusions We found that the plant watered with microwaved water grew We found that the plant watered with microwaved water grew

slower and less tall than the plants watered with tap water. The slower and less tall than the plants watered with tap water. The ones watered with tap water also germinated first.ones watered with tap water also germinated first.

Our conclusion is supported by the mean, median and range of Our conclusion is supported by the mean, median and range of our data.our data.

We found the mean to be 17.5 for the plant grown in regular We found the mean to be 17.5 for the plant grown in regular water and only 13.66 for the microwaved water. This supports water and only 13.66 for the microwaved water. This supports our hypothesis that regular water will grow larger plants.our hypothesis that regular water will grow larger plants.

The range between the plant A was smaller which shows that The range between the plant A was smaller which shows that there was more even growth in those plants. The B plants grew there was more even growth in those plants. The B plants grew at a much different rate and also took longer to germinate. at a much different rate and also took longer to germinate.

If we were to grow plants again or in a garden we would use If we were to grow plants again or in a garden we would use regular tap water.regular tap water.