As we all know, fluids have the ability to flow because the particles of liquids and gases are free to move around. However not all fluids flow at the same rate. Some flow a lot faster or slower depending on various factors such as the type of fluid (viscosity), the force pushing on a fluid, surface over it is flowing, etc. A fluid's flow rate is the volume of fluid moving past a certain point in a given amount of time. My partner and I were curious if the location of obstacles in a fluids path would affect the flow rate. So, we tested it out by doing a classic science experiment!

The last step links to a slide show of the entire process including videos of the experiment and fluids flowing!

Supplies

Liquids : Vegetable Oil, Liquid Hand Soap, Maple Syrup

Graduated Cylinders (1)

Funnel (1)

Ramps → 1

Interchangeable boards with obstacles → 3

Stop watches → Phones

Devices → Phones, Laptop

Obstacle Ramps → Side to side, Middle, Zig Zag (these are what we named them)

Packing tape

Google sheets (instead of paper)

Step 1: QUESTION

Our Question: Does the location of obstacles affect a fluid's flow rate?

We were curious about this, so we decided on the fluids we will use and what different obstacle locations we will test.

Step 2: HYPOTHESIS

Our Hypothesis is the image above and it did get more detailed than this however there will be a link to read those later on!

Step 3: PROCEDURE

PROCEDURE FOR TESTING THE HYPOTHESIS: 3 DIFFERENT RAMPS

Set up recording device to a specific spot

Pour the liquid into the graduated cylinder (20 ML)

Set up first ramp with obstacle number 1

Plug bottom of funnel with a plugger

Pour 1st liquid into funnel

Work to get most of the liquid out of the graduated cylinder

Take note of any qualitative observations (descriptive language) (This can also be done after looking at the video recording of the experiment)

After a 5 sec countdown release the fluid by unplugging the funnel

Begin stopwatch at the same time as release of fluid

Use the marking on the ramp to record two different distances: 12 cm and 24 cm

Make observations while experimenting or use the video recording

Record the quantitative and qualitative data → MORE IMPORTANTLY QUANTITATIVE WHILE THE EXPERIMENT IS GOING

Clean the ramp with a wet paper towel

Let the obstacle dry in the sun

Repeat this process x 2 with the other two obstacles but same liquid

THEN: Start from the beginning and complete with the next two liquids

Step 4: CONDUCT THE EXPERIMENT

After a lot of planning and revising we conducted our experiment and the next step will show our results!

Step 5: HERE ARE OUR RESULTS

This slide show will take you through our journey of planning from our hypothesis to testing along with the fascinating resulting we concluded! There are tons of images and videos of the actual experiment itself, mistakes we made and how to avoid them and speaker notes explaining the slides. In the end we treated ourselves after a lot of hard work! Enjoy this wonderful science experiment and see where our curiosity for science took us!

Flow Rate Experiment

This experiment was truly a lot of fun and the reason why science is so interesting. After testing we can say that the flow rate of a fluid is affected by the location of the obstacles.