Report Preparation Worksheet (Roughwork)

1. Introduction to the investigation (including a clear statement, identification of the problem/topic to be investigated, background research undertaken in preparation for the investigation: people, books, websites, etc. as sources of relevant information)

(i) Statement/Identification of the problem/topic to be investigated.

This investigation will be done to see with of the four samples of soils are water resistant.

(ii) Background research undertaken in preparation for the investigation; people, books, websites etc. as sources of relevant information.

Most of my research was taken from the internet from these websites:

For some of the information I had I asked my teacher and my parents.

2. Preparation and Planning

(i) Identify any relevant variables and necessary controls

There are two necessary controls that have two be used water (the water has to be all the same) and plain soil.

(ii) List of equipment needed for the investigation

The equipment needed for this investigation is:

  • 4 funnels
  • 4 filter papers
  • 4 graduated cylinders
  • 4 retort stands
  • 1 pair of latex gloves
  • 2 lab coats
  • Plain soil (control)
  • Clay soil
  • Sand soil
  • Compost soil
  • 400 ml of water
  • 2 pairs of safety glasses

(iii) List of tasks to be carried out during the investigation

The first thing that I did when I came in was I put my bag at the back of the room. Then I put on my lab coat and started collecting all the of equipment needed for the investigation and started setting them up. At this stage I had my equipment set up and I poured in all my soil mixes into the funnels and started the investigation and recorded the results.

3. Procedure, Apparatus, Safety, Data Collection/Observations

The following section should be used to describe the procedure followed in the investigation. Labelled diagrams showing apparatus or equipment should be included, where appropriate.

(i)Particular safety precautions required by this investigation

Safety glasses and safety gloves were worn to protect the eyes and a lab coat was worn in case of spillages.

(ii)Procedure followed in the investigation?

I had to set up the apparatus as shown below. I poured in 100ml into each sample right before the investigation was carried out on the sample.

Labelled diagram (where appropriate)

(iii)Procedure followed in the investigation?

The procedure followed through the investigation was as followed:

The first sample was tested. The water was poured in and the time started. Then every minute we checked how much water was drained through that one minute. Then after 10 minutes we read the last measurement. After that we made notes on what happened through that 10 minutes and started with the next three samples and we followed the same procedure through the full investigation.

Labelled diagram (where appropriate)

(iv) Recorded Data / Observations

Name
And
Time / 1 min / 2 min / 3 min / 4 min / 5 min / 6 min / 7 min / 8 min / 9 min / 10 min
Clay soil
Was tested 4th / 14ml / 18ml / 18ml / 20ml / 21ml / 21ml / 22ml / 22ml / 22.5ml / 23ml
Plain soil
Was tested 1st / 34ml / 42ml / 42ml / 42.5ml / 43ml / 43.5ml / 43.5ml / 43.5ml / 44ml / 44ml
Sand soil
Was tested 2nd / 23ml / 36ml / 37ml / 37ml / 37ml / 37ml / 38ml / 38ml / 38ml / 38ml
Compost soil
Was tested 3rd / 19ml / 22ml / 24ml / 24ml / 24ml / 24ml / 24ml / 24ml / 24ml / 24ml
  • After the control investigation the water was yellow because the plain soil does not clean the water it adds nutrients to the water which at makes it yellow.
  • After the sand soil investigation, the water was yellow due to the big amount of nutrients in the water.
  • After the compost soil investigation, there was only 24ml of water left and the water was yellow due to the big amount of nutrients in the water.
  • After the clay soil investigation, there was only 23ml left of water which meant that the clay soil absorbs water. There nutrients in the water after the investigation.

4. Analysis

(i) Calculations / Data Analysis

The clay soil and the compost soil are the ones that hold the most water. The plain soil is the one the holds that least amount of water and the sand soil is the one that filters the water the best.

(ii) Conclusion(s) and Evaluation of Result(s)

The sand soil should be used to filter water and any other liquid. You would use compost soil and sand soil for plants outside due to the microorganisms in the compost in the sand and in the soil.

5. Comment

Comments (e.g. refinements, extensions, sources of error etc.)

The next time that I will do this investigation I would use salted water or water with food colouring to see would that change the perspective of the investigation. The next time I would do this investigation I would do it a few times and get the average between all of the answers or check if the first result was correct.