my 12-year-old's science project paper

Float my egg?

Torie Despain

October 28^th, 2011

People drop eggs in water to see if they float or sink and if it sinks its fresh but if it floats its old and is thrown away. But, my partner and I are doing an experiment we like to call “Float my egg?”  This experiment tests if an egg will float in water when salt and if so, how much table spoons of salt will it take to make the egg float? The materials needed for this project would be 3 cups, water, salt, tablespoon, and 3 eggs. The concepts to this experiment is to collect 3 clear cups and fill them up with water, next we would set an egg in one of the cups of water, then add tablespoons of salt to the water. Whale we are doing our experiment we would keep track of what’s going on with the egg and do this concept with the other eggs to.

Why does an egg float in water when salt is added? The reason why the egg would float in water when salt is added is because when an object’s density is greater than the water’s density the object will float. If we just dropped an egg in fresh water the egg would obviously sink. So by adding salt to water it increases the density of the water, which causes the object to float.

Some theories of this experiment in the past would be that the egg will float when about 5 tablespoons of salt are added to the glass of water. Another theory from past experience is to add 6 tablespoons of salt to the glass, but both experiments say not to stir the salt into water so that it does not dissolve. Some say that it matters what type of salt you use. This is not true you can use any type of salt and you will still get the same results.     

Density=mass/volume (Density equals mass over volume) is the formula that helps describe this experiment. This formula explains in mathematical terms that density is equal to the amount of matter in an object in a certain volume. 

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My daughter is a natural science writer

My 13-year-old is a natural science writer! Check out her paper on crystals (she'd be angry if she knew I posted it):

Kelsea Despain
Period 1
Mr. Best
Science

Behind The Crystals

Crystals are made out of atoms that are structured into a specific pattern. The atoms are usually packed close to one another with positions in space relative to another.  Not all crystal patterns are simple. They grow easily by attaching itself to a surface of another crystal. The new crystal grows into what is called a “dislocation.” 

Because of this, clusters of small crystals are common, large perfect crystals are rare. Its environment determines how perfect the crystal will be.  Large crystals also grow very slow but small crystals grow rapidly. The crystals state of matter is based on a distinct structural rigidity and virtual resistance to how it changes its shape or volume. Crystals start growing by a process called "nucleation".  

Nucleation can either start with the molecules or with the help of some matter already in the solution. Crystals grow into the shape that they were meant to be. Kind of like our DNA determines the color of our hair, the color of our eyes, how our bones will form, and how tall we are, the chemicals in a mineral determine what shape it’ll be. Most of the earth's crystals were formed millions of years ago. Crystals form when the liquid rock from inside the earth cool and harden. Most mineral crystals take thousands of years to grow but some can be formed at home with salt or sugar within weeks. Crystals aren’t always clear, but those are the kinds you will usually see in stores.         

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picnic and art in the olive grove

a beautiful Sunday afternoon, a tour of the Queen Creek olive mill, an art show, and a kalamata sandwich. bliss

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My daughter skillfully feeding a hummingbird

Kids, don't try this at home. These tiny birds are so fragile. And it's illegal to do it without a permit. Torie is holding this bird in a special grip taught to her during her volunteer work for the Hummingbird Watch Group. The conservation group bands the hummingbirds and studies them. The one Torie holds in her hand may have flown from as far away as Alaska to arrive during its migration in southeastern Arizona. 

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baby, you're a star

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deer creek

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I can't take them anywhere nice

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Yo-Yo, the ring-tailed lemur

I just found out from the zoological sanctuary that my adopted 5-year-old male ring-tailed lemur's name is "Yo-Yo" (pictured above) and his twin sister's name is "Bungee". He also has another younger sis named "Kinsa."

Apparently, ring-tailed lemurs in a normal circumstances live in groups ranging from five to 30 individuals. Within a group, males and females have their own dominance hierarchies, but females generally dominate the males.

So with only his two sisters to pick on him endlessly, I imagine Yo-Yo has it pretty tough at the sanctuary. I can relate to being the only male (and dominated by women) in a household.

The secret to living with dominant women or female lemurs, Yo-Yo? Make it a point to have your own well-marked male space, Yo-Yo. Lemurs will often mark their territories (and each other) with their scent glands. I just use Giorgio Armani to mark mine. In aggressive encounters, lemurs will wave scent-smeared tails at their rivals -- like spraying your sweat-cologne in some other male's face.

Also, Yo-Yo, eat your primate biscuits, and fruits and veggies quickly. When the ladies see you eat too slow and peacefully, it spurs an urge in them to pick at you and/or start giving you things to do.

Lastly, remember how special you are, Yo-Yo. There are only 22 species left (of a total of 36) since arrival of humans on Madagascar 2,000 years ago. Ring-tailed lemurs are endangered as a species because of habitat destruction. David, the adoptive dad of Yo-Yo

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