Science Fair Variables.

[Charles2010]

I need 3 manipulated variables for my science fair project question. So the question is:

Do white candles burn at a different rate than colored candles?

 

So far, I've written down 2 variables.. Time passed and color of candle. I need another.

[iNow]

How about candle diameter or width? Maybe scented versus unscented? Or even wick type... I think candles use various types of wick material.

[Charles2010]

Erm. I guess that could work. How should I measure the candle diameter or width though? Sorry, I'm not really smart when it comes to doing these stuff.

[iNow]

I might suggest a ruler... maybe a tape measure? If you really want to get all fancy, grab some calipers. I'm sure you can think of ways to measure diameter.

 

However, perhaps room temperature would be a good one? What about air movement (is it windy in the room, or is the air still)? How do different speeds of air impact burn rate? Does faster wind make it burn faster than slower wind or still air?

 

Those are the types of questions you can ask. The real question here is, what's interesting to you? If you're interested, you'll put more effort and work in, and you will be much more likely to be successful.

 

Good luck with it all.

[zhongying]

However, perhaps room temperature would be a good one? What about air movement (is it windy in the room, or is the air still)? How do different speeds of air impact burn rate? Does faster wind make it burn faster than slower wind or still air?

[Charles2010]

Thanks all. The variable I came up with is size/shape. I chose it so that I can test whether different shapes/size will help it burn faster or make it slower.

 

BTW. I'm going to go buy some candles now. So far I bought those small circular thinnish candles. Bought white, blue, and red of those. Then today, I'm going to buy those big squarish candles, same color. Then I'm buying normal candles.

 

Is that good? Then I'm going to light them on a candle holding cup. Measure the changed mass every 30 minutes or 1 hour while subtracting the cup mass. I'm going to graph those until the candles are all melted. Then I'm going to paste it on my display board.

 

Is that good?