Experiment Two:

***Making an Underwater Volcano***

Discussion Question:

What is a volcano?

What makes a volcano erupt?

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• Definition of Volcano: A vent in the crust of the earth or another planet or a moon from which usually molten or hot rock and steam issue

• Definition of Magma: Melted rock

A volcano begins as magma rises from deep inside the earth toward the surface. As the gas-filled magma rises, it melts gaps in the surrounding rock and forms a large chamber. Pressure from the solid rock around it forces the magma up to the surface through the conduit (channel) in a weakened part of the rock. The gas and melted rock blast out an opening called the central vent.

The erupted materials gradually pile up around the vent, forming a volcano. A bowl-like crater generally forms at the top of the volcano. The vent lies at the bottom of the crater.

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Materials needed:
-Scissors, narrow-necked small bottle, hot and cold water,
red food coloring, string, and a large glass jar.
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Step One: Fill a large jar with cold water.


Step Two: Cut a long piece of string and tie around each side of the bottle to make a loop.

Step Three: Fill the little jar with extremely hot water. Pour a few drops of red food coloring into the jar directly afterward.


Step Four: Hold the bottle by the loop of string. Lower it gently into the jar of cold water.
The hot water rises from the small bottle like smoke from an erupting volcano!

Underwater Volcano

More Resources on Volcanoes:

Experiment One:

Check Your Reaction Time!

Just what is "reaction time?"

Reaction is defined as a response to a situation.

Time is defined as a system of measuring the passage of time.

So, when you put those two definitions together, you understand that reaction time is defined as how fact you are to react to a situation.

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Discussion Question:
Could your reaction time be a matter of life or death? Think about it as we create a way to record your reaction time.
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Materials Needed:
Science experiment book, ruler, scissors, 6 markers, a pencil, and six 3in name tags

Step One: Take the ruler and measure the name tag at two inches and make a mark.
Repeat for the remaining five name tags.

Step Two: Cut the tags along the 2in. mark.

Step Three: Color the six tags with different colors.

Step Four: Line the tags up in the order you want the reaction time to be.
For mine: Red is the fastest reaction time and pink is the slowest.

Step Five: Take the tags and place them on one side of the ruler. (Doesn't matter which side).

The Finished Product!!!
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Now to check your reaction time:
Please refer to the link here for directions:

Red/Orange: Fast Reaction Time
Yellow/Green: Medium Reaction Time
Blue/Pink: Slow Reaction Time
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Do you have a slow or fast reaction time? What determines your reactions time?
Some factors that determine reaction time are:

• Experience
• Age
  
• Fitness
• Fatigue
• Illness
• Pre-occupation
• Distraction
• Mood
• Medication, prescribed and/or not
• Poor Vision and/or hearing

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Curiosity Zone: Time for Variations

After you’ve tested yourself, why not experiment further. Here’s a few suggestions, do reaction times vary:

• for people of different ages (children verses adults)?
• if you use your dominant hand verses non-dominant hand?
• if you are tired or alert?
• for men verses women?
• depending on your mood?

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Other Resources for Reaction Time:

Fifth Grade Lesson Plan

Reaction Time Test Online
Proof that Men are Quicker than Women
Fingertip Reaction Time
Kayla Whitt's Reaction Time Reserach