The Boiling Point
(based on Collaborative
International Boiling Point Science Education Project, Stevens
Institute of Technology, Center for Improved Engineering and
Science Education)
In this experiment, students will boil distilled water and record the following information:
- temperature at which the water boils (boiling point)
- room temperature
- volume of water
- elevation
- heating device
The purpose of this project is to determine which factor in the experiment (room temperature, volume of water, elevation, or heating device) has the greatest influence on the boiling point. Students will analyze data to determine this.
Students will develop a hypothesis for the experiment. Which factor do you think will have the greatest influence on the boiling point? Why?
Enrichment Information
Interested in learning more about temperature, the development
of thermometers and temperature scales, heat and thermodynamics,
the Kinetic Theory, thermal radiation, and the temperature of
the Universe? Check out the About
Temperature web site; it is also available in Spanish at
Acerca
de la temperatura.
The following web pages demonstrate opportunities to integrate technology into this interdisciplinary math and science project.
3. Converting and obtaining data.
4. Storing and manipulating data.
All work on this site ©Harold Olejarz 1997 - 1999 and the artists credited. No images or text may be used for commercial purposes without written permission from Harold Olejarz. Personal or educational uses are allowed with permission from Harold Olejarz.