Phases of Water
You might need the help of a grown-up for these energy science fair projects. They can help you record the time.
You will need the following materials:
1 ice cube (water)
1 ice cube (orange juice)
1 ice scoop of ice cream in a bowl
1 flat area outside
a sunny day
a watch
Instructions:
Ask a grown up to help you prepare all the materials the night before.
In the morning of a sunny day, put the cube of water, juice, and scoop of ice cream in a bowl out on the flat area in the sun.
Check the time on the watch and ask a grown up to record the time.
Check on the three cold things every few minutes. When one thing has completely turned to liquid, ask the grown up to record the time for that thing. How many minutes did it take for each object to turn to liquid?
Wait some more, and check on your liquid objects every few minutes.
When the cube of ice water disappears, ask the grown up to record the time. How many minutes did it take for the water to disappear? Why aren't the other objects disappearing as fast?
Concept Explanation:
In these simple energy science fair projects, we can see heat energy at work. It turned ice into water and water into vapor. The other objects have different melting times because although they are mixed with water, the other parts of juice and ice cream make it different from water. Your juice might evaporate after waiting some more, but your ice cream is likely to stay liquid because of these other parts that help it stay that way. Although heat energy affects everything, it doesn't affect everything the same way. You can find a way to mimmick the sun's heat, and speed the process, and these energy science fair projects is a great submission for the first grade!
