Gabriel Loste!

Dr. Tan!

Chemistry IA: Design

November 7, 2013

I. Design
Prompt Investigate a factor that affects the viscosity of a liquid.
Research question
What is the effect of changing the concentration of shampoo in water towards the viscosity of
the solution?
Variables
Independent Variable: The concentration of the liquid (shampoo)
To be able to test the change in the flow rate of the liquid, the concentration must also be
changed. In this experiment, five (5) different concentrations of the liquid will be tested: 100%,
80%, 60%, 40%, and 20%.
The experiment will begin at 100% of shampoo, then decreasing by increments of 20% and
replacing the difference with water. By differentiating by increments of 20%, recording and
seeing the changes in data will be more apparent.
Dependent Variable: The flow rate of the liquid (shampoo) which is proportional to the
viscosity
Since obtaining the viscosity of a liquid is difficult without the proper apparatus, in this
experiment, a factor relating to the viscosity will be investigated. This factor is the flow rate of
the liquid which is inversely proportional to the viscosity and can be easily measured.
Measurement of the flow rate will be done using a funnel and a beaker. The funnel will be
used to allow the liquid to flow and the beaker will be used to pour it into the funnel.
By changing the concentration, the flow rate will also vary thus the flow rate being the
dependent variable. In the experiment, it is expected that the less concentrated the liquid is,
the faster it will be able to flow.
Controlled variables: The temperature of the liquid (shampoo), type of water (distilled), type
of shampoo
By keeping the temperature of the liquid constant, the particles in it will react the same way to
the test. If too hot, the particles will be more separated which may affect the flow rate. If too
cold on the other hand, the particles will be more condensed which will too affect the flow
rate.
The kind of water will also be kept at a constant since distilled water has less particles than
unfiltered water which may also affect the flow rate and ultimately change the results of the
experiment.
The type of shampoo will also be kept at a constant. The shampoo to be used is Head &
Shoulders Anti-dandruff Shampoo Men: Cool Blast 350 mL.

Gabriel Loste!
Dr. Tan!

Chemistry IA: Design

November 7, 2013

Problem
In this experiment, the effect of the concentration factor of shampoo to its viscosity will be
investigated. This will be achieved by diluting the shampoo with water in different amounts.
During the investigation the elevation of the table, the temperature of the shampoo will be
kept at room temperature, and volume of the shampoo will be kept constant.
Materials
a. 1 x 200 mL of shampoo
b. 4 x 100ml beakers with 1mL gradations
c. 1 x plastic funnel
d. 1 x 150ml of water
e. 1 x 5ml dropper with 1mL gradations
f. 1 x 10ml pipet with 1mL gradations
g. 1 x digital timer with milliseconds
Method
1. Use the pipet to measure 50ml of shampoo, then transfer to one 100ml beaker. (This shall
be the control)
2. Hold the plastic funnel above another 100ml beaker and put your finger on the end of the
funnel.
3. Pour the 50ml of shampoo from the beaker into the funnel while keeping your finger on the
end of the funnel. (As not to let the shampoo drip into the beaker below)
4. Release the shampoo into a third beaker and start the stopwatch, end the stopwatch once
the shampoo has completely flown into the beaker.
5. Record the time it took for the shampoo to flow into the beaker.
6. Remove the shampoo from the beaker and wash.
7. Using the pipet, transfer 40ml of shampoo into the beaker and using the dropper, transfer
10ml of water into the beaker.
8. Repeat steps 2 through 6.
9. Using the pipet, transfer 30ml of shampoo into the beaker and using the dropper, transfer
20ml of water into the beaker.

Gabriel Loste!
Dr. Tan!

Chemistry IA: Design

November 7, 2013

10. Repeat steps 2 through 6.

11. Using the pipet, transfer 20ml of shampoo into the beaker and using the dropper, transfer
30ml of water into the beaker.
12. Repeat steps 2 through 6.
13. Using the pipet, transfer 10ml of shampoo into the beaker and using the dropper, transfer
40ml of water into the beaker.
14. Repeat steps 2 through 6.
Diagrams

Shampoo
Place finger to
cover the tube
DigitalTimer

100 mL
beakers

Diagram 1: Pouring the shampoo solution into the beaker

Release finger and

let shampoo
solution flow
Start timer

Diagram 2: Releasing the shampoo solution into the beaker and

starting the timer

Gabriel Loste!
Dr. Tan!

Chemistry IA: Design

November 7, 2013

Collecting Data
The experiment shall be repeated 3 times. After, the information will be collated into tables
then charts. An average value for each time the experiment is repeated will also be used to
get the most accurate results and avoid inconsistency.
Concentration

Time taken to empty funnel / s (+ 1 millisecond)

Trial 1

Trial 2

100% (50 mL of
shampoo)
80% (40 mL of
shampoo and 10 mL
water)
60% (30 mL of
shampoo and 20 mL
water)
40% (20 mL of
shampoo and 30 mL
water)
20% (10 mL of
shampoo and 40 mL
water)
Safety Precautions
1. Wear goggles and lab coat at all times.
2. Handle all apparatus with care, specially the fragile instruments.

Trial 3