Approved Plan + Materials, Method and Risk Assessment

Last Wednesday I handed in my experiment and in today's lesson we got I got my SRP plan back and it was approved! With a mark of 4 out of a total 4 marks, I was given constructive, helpful feedback that will guide me for my 'experimental report'. My teacher told me that I need to include the different variables in brackets in my method, so whilst doing my experiment I am aware of what variables I need to control. I am grateful for the feedback i received and will definitely take it into consideration when writing up my experimental report.

I am very glad that my experiment was approved meaning that I can begin to prepare for my experiment. But before I start my experiment, I would like to give you a brief outline of my plan including my materials list, risks involved with the experiment and a brief method. In my SRP Plan I have made sure to include the word 'repeat' in order to achieve reliable results. I look forward to completing my experiment on the 3/03/16 and the 4/04/16. 

Materials:

Natural Water Filter

   2L soft drink bottle (with the bottom cut off)

·       Large beaker

·       Cup measurement

·       Bowls x4

·       1 cups fine sand

·       1 cups course sand

·       1 cups small pebbles

·       10-12 cup coffee filter paper

·       Rubber bands

Experiment

·       Turbidity meter with attached Data Logger

·       Liquid measuring cup

·       1 Teaspoon measurement

·       1 Tablespoon measurement

·       Plastic cups; clear (9~ 2 for each of the 4 liquids and 1 for a comparison water sample)

·       Small bowl of garden dirt

·       2 tablespoons of washing detergent

·       ¼ teaspoon of vegetable oil

·       Tap water

·       1 cup of soft drink (Coca-Cola)

·       1 tea bag (English breakfast)

·       Electric kettle

·       1 Mug

·       Plastic spoons (1 box approx)

·       Medicine dropper

·       Timer 

Risk Assessment:

( here are just a few of the main risks that are involved in my experiment)

Risk	How this risk will be minimised
Spillage of different liquids can cause slipping hazards.	Clean up split liquids immediately after they are spilt.
Handling the kettle can cause danger of burns from appliance, hot water or steam. Danger of electrocution, especially in wet areas or if wiring is defective.	Handle the kettle with care and check fittings and wiring for damage each time before use. Test and tag at regular intervals.
Breaking the ceramic mug could cause cuts on hands and fingers	Do not handle broken cups with bare fingers. Sweep up the broken pieces immediately using a brush and dustpan, do not use finger.
Boiling water can cause burns	Handle boiling water with care and pour gently away from yourself

Method: (I have split it into two sections, one where i construct the filter and one where i carry out the experiment)

Constructing the Filter

1.        Use the rubber band to secure the filter paper to the mouth of the bottle with it bottom cut off. Place the filter upside down in the beaker.
2.       Rinse the gravel in the water carefully three times to remove any dust. Put the sand in another bowl. Rinse the sand in water carefully three times. Swish the sand in the water then let it settle before your drain off the water. Open a packet of active carbon and put it in a clean bowl. Clean the active carbon the same way as you have cleaned the sand. Repeat these steps to clean the pebbles the same way that you have cleaned the sand, removing any dust.
3.          Pour the activated carbon in the bottle. Then pour the pebbles on top of that. Then pour the fine sand on top of the course sand.
4.        Carefully pour clean tap water through the filter (to test it), being careful not to disturb the top layer of sand. Pour the rinsed water out of the beaker.

Testing the Filter

1.         Make a contaminated water sample: Using a clean plastic spoon, mix 1 cup of water in a small bowl with garden dirt. Add ¼ teaspoon of vegetable oil with a medicine dropper to the water mixture, approximately 4-6 drops. Mix the oil and the dirt together until everything is combined into the water. Pour the dirty water into a clear plastic cup.
2.         Test the turbidity of the contaminated water using a turbidity meter. Record the turbidity of the water sample and then begin the filtering process.
3.         Carefully place the filter upside down in the beaker. Slowly pour half of the water mixture into the filter. The water should move between each section of the filter drop by drop. Meanwhile, continue to mix the contaminated sample with a spoon so the dirt doesn’t settle at the bottom of the cup.
4.         Once the contaminated water is filtered retest the turbidity of the water and compare the turbidity of the contaminated water to the turbidity of the filtered water. You should also record any other observations that you make about the filtered water. For example, if the filtered water has any grit or dirt still visible in it after it has been filtered. Place the filtered water in a plastic cup and rinse the beaker.
5.         Boil 1 cup of water in an electric kettle. Place the teabag in the mug and pour the cup of boiling water into the mug and let it sit for 15 minutes (timed) undisturbed. Remove and discard the tea bag and let the tea cool down as you proceed with the following steps.
6.         Place 1 cup of soft drink in a clear plastic cup. Test the turbidity of the soft drink using a turbidity meter. Carefully place the filter upside down in the clean beaker. Slowly pour half of the soft drink into the filter, and watch as it moves between the filter drop by drop.
7.         Once filtered, test the turbidity of the filtered soft drink and compare it to the turbidity of the unfiltered soft drink. Making notes about whether the soft drink is as clear as water or is still colored and not clear at all and pour into a clear plastic cup. Rinse the beaker.
8.      Repeat steps 6-8 using 1 cup of tea (prepared earlier), recording the turbidity of the liquid before and after it is filtered. Pour the filtered tea into a plastic cup and rinse the beaker.                                        
9.    Repeat steps 6-8 using 1 cup of water mixed with washing detergent, to create bubbles, recording the turbidity of the liquid before and after it is filtered. Pour the filtered soapy water into a plastic cup and rinse the beaker.
10.    Repeat steps 1-12 two more time using clean materials (you can wash and reuse the plastic cups and use the remaining liquids you've already prepared), testing the turbidity before and after filtering each liquid and rinsing the beaker each time you have filtered a liquid by pouring the liquid into a clear plastic cup. This will make sure your results are reliable, reproducible and repeatable.