Chemistry Science Fair Projects

Chemistry science fair projects can be some of the most exciting compared to other categories. There's so much to explore and watching the results take place is a fascinating process! When looking at chemistry, electricity plays a major role in projects.

This project is for a high school level as it is more advanced than the lower levels of chemistry science fair projects.

Materials Needed:

• ¼ cup of clay soil
• One pint glass container
• One six-volt battery (make sure there are two screws tops on the battery)
• Two pieces of wire. The wire should be 12 gauge. Make sure that it is also plastic insulated, and has multiple strands. The copper should be about twenty inches in length and be twisted

What to Do:

1.) Put sixty grams of the clay soil in a pint glass or beaker.
2.) Add 500ml (1 cup) of water to the container holding the soil.
3.) Mix the soil with the water.
4.) Allow the different particles to settle for about ten minutes.
5.) For both ends of the wires, take the insulation and remove it so that approximately two inches of the bare wire is showing.
6.) Touch one end of both of the wires to the battery terminal and tighten the terminal cap so the wire is now securely attached.
7.) Place both of the other ends of the electrical wires in the clay solution about two inches under the surface of the water line in the glass container. Make sure the wires are about two inches apart and are not touching.
8.) Keep the wire electrodes in the solution for about ten to fifteen minutes and see what happens!

Observations:

1.) This demonstration confirms that things that are not unlike are attracted to each other and things that are alike are not attracted to each other.
2.) This demonstration also confirms that soils can be used to conduct electricity using systems that provide amazing abilities to hold onto plant nutrients. Positive charges will give more absorption capabilities to the soil. As well, the more clay and organic content of the soil the greater the storage capacity to keep the plant nutrients.
3.) The demonstration also shows the capabilities of buffering and filtering of soils. There are many soils that also have other forms of buffering potential but this is less effective.

There are many chemistry science fair projects from which to choose, but as you can see the one outlined here is one of the more engaging experiments.

Note: See the Disclaimer before starting this project.