Question

scientific method practice
scenario: maggies plant experiment
maggie noticed that some plants grow better if the soil is acidic. she cant believe that a plant can grow when exposed to acid. maggie decides to test if two plants she has will grow better when acid is added to the soil. she puts planting soil in two planting containers and transplants two of her geraniums that are the same size into the pots. she puts the pots in the same location so that they both receive the same amount of sunlight each day, and at the same temperature and time. she makes sure they get the same amount of water. however, maggie puts a tablespoon of vinegar in the water she gives to one of the plants. the vinegar will increase the acidity of the soil. then, she measures the growth of the plants every week for five weeks and records the results in the data table below.

week	height of plants in container with vinegar (cm)	height of plants in container without vinegar (cm)
2	12.4	11.5
3	14.8	13.0
4	18.0	15.7
5	21.4	17.8

1. what did maggie notice that caused her to want to do this experiment?
2. what is the testable question in this experiment?
3. what is maggies hypothesis?
4. what materials does maggie need to use?
5. procedures - what steps does maggie take during her experiment?

Explanation:

1. Maggie noticed that some plants grow better in acidic soil, which led her to conduct the experiment.
2. The testable question is whether plants grow better when acid (vinegar - which increases soil acidity) is added to the soil.
3. Maggie's hypothesis could be: If acid is added to the soil, then the plants will grow better.
4. Materials: two planting containers, two sets of plant germinations, soil, water, vinegar, measuring tape (to measure plant height).
5. Steps: Maggie sets up two planting containers with the same soil and plant germinations. She places them in the same location for equal sunlight, at the same temperature, and gives them the same amount of water. She adds a tablespoon of vinegar to the water for one of the plants and measures the growth of the plants every week for five weeks, recording the results in a data - table.

Answer:

1. Maggie noticed that some plants grow better in acidic soil.
2. Do plants grow better when acid is added to the soil?
3. If acid is added to the soil, then the plants will grow better.
4. Two planting containers, two sets of plant germinations, soil, water, vinegar, measuring tape.
5. Set up two containers with same soil and plants, place in same location for equal sunlight, keep temperature and water amount the same, add vinegar to one plant's water, measure plant growth weekly for five weeks and record results.