Project 2: Phase Change Lab Report QUESTION – 5
What question is this scientific investigation seeking to answer? (Look in “Instructions” Sheet.)
How does the amount of dissolved salt affect the boiling point of water?

VARIABLES – 10
Identify the variables. (Be specific.) Need help? Watch the Experimental Factors video.
Independent Variable:
The amount of salt dissolved in water

Dependent Variable:
The boiling point of water

CONSTANTS–
List 3 or more.
Amount of heat(how high you have the flames)
Amount of water
Size of pan

HYPOTHESIS –
Give a possible, testable explanation to answer the question. Use an “If, then” structure for the sentence. (Look in the “Directions” Sheet for help.)
Need help? Watch the Forming a Hypothesis video.
if you add more salt to the water then the boiling point of water will increase...

MATERIALS – 5
List the materials you used:
table salt
distilled or purified drinking water (not tap water)
measuring cups (must have mL or cup markings)
tablespoon measuring spoon
stirring spoon (wooden, plastic, or metal)
small pot
stove
thermometer (should have units in °C)

PROCEDURE – 5
A numbered, step by step list of short instructions of how to perform the experiment, written in the third person, such that another student could follow and replicate the experiment, then identify the variables in your experiment:
No Salt
Prepare a medium-sized pot by filling it with two cups (about 500 mL) of room-temperature water.
Turn the knob to medium and place the pot on the stove.
In the water, place the thermometer. When taking measurements, avoid touching the bottom of the pot with the thermometer.
Record the highest temperature (°C) the water reaches after it has been in full boil for at least one minute.
½ Tablespoon Salt
Steps 1 and 2 should be repeated.
Stir 1/2 tablespoon (10 grams) of table salt into the water until it dissolves. (After the water is heated, use a spoon to stir the salt if it does not dissolve completely at room temperature.)
Steps 3-4 should be repeated again.
Adding Additional Salt
In addition to 1 tablespoon salt, repeat steps 5-7.
In addition to 1-1/2 tablespoons salt, repeat steps 5-7.
In addition to 2 tablespoons salt, repeat steps 5-7.

RESULTS: Data Table – 5
Here you list the results of your experiment. Include any relevant charts, data tables, and graphs. (Be sure to include units!)
Data Table: Boiling Point
Amount of salt
(tablespoons or grams)
Boiling Temperature (°C)
(highest temperature)

0 tbs
98.2℃
½ tbs
99.9℃
1 tbs
100.4℃
1 ½ tbs
100.7℃
2 tbs
101.4℃

ANALYSIS: Relationship - 10
Relationship: According to your data, what relationship exists between the independent variable and the dependent variable? Make sure to use terms like “direct”, “inverse”, or “neutral” to describe the relationship. Explain your reasoning.
Need help? Watch the Projects Data Relationship video.

ANALYSIS: Further investigation/Improvement - 10
Use complete sentences with proper grammar and punctuation to answer the following questions.
a) Describe what further investigations could be done to continue the experiment in some way.
b) What could be done differently to test the variables further?
c) You can also describe how this experiment can be improved.
d) Are there better materials? If so, describe.
e) Is there a better procedure that can be followed? If so, describe.

CONCLUSION: Hypothesis Validation – 10
State if the hypothesis is supported or not. Use data as evidence.
Need help? Watch the “Validation” video.

CONCLUSION: Inferences – 5
Make inferences to explain your results (answer to the problem/question.)
Need help? Watch the Inferences video.

CONCLUSION: Sources of Error and Learning – 10
Use complete sentences with proper grammar and punctuation to answer the following questions.
Identify possible sources of errors from the environment, materials, or method.
Need help? Watch the Sources of Error video.
What was learned from the experiment.