Easy Science fair experiments that get good grades - Project #17 - Soda Can Science

Objective
We will find out the best method for cooling a soda from room temperature.

Introduction
This is one of those science fair experiments that are based on principles of heat transfer such as conduction, convection, evaporation and radiation.

All matter constitutes atoms and molecules which are constantly vibrating as in solids or moving as in liquids and gases. Heat can be measured by measuring the average motion of these molecules. We must know about the four different methods of heat transfer if we want to cool a soda can.

Conduction: When transfer of heat happens from one molecule to the other without any mass movement of molecules.
Convection: When heat is transferred due to mass movement of molecules.
Radiation: When heat is transferred in the form of waves, some of which are visible and others are invisible.
Evaporation: When liquid molecules become more motile carrying off heat as in vapor.

The above heat transfer concepts make great science fair experiments.

Now that you are acquainted with these terms let's see how many ways there are to cool a soda can:
A) The refrigerator
B) The freezer
C) An ice box
D) An ice box filled with ice and water

Now declare your hypothesis about which method is faster.

Off course your best choice would be the refrigerator or maybe the freezer. Let me tell you that your refrigerator or freezer cools things by convection and partial conduction. Therefore less air molecules come in contact with the can. Liquid, being denser than air, has comparatively more molecules packed close together. So, more liquid molecules come in contact with the soda can. Do you get the hint?

At this point, take a look at these step-by-step science videos to better understand what goes into a winning project. They show you step-by-step how to do your project.

Materials
You would require 12 Soda cans at room temperature, digital thermometer, two Styrofoam ice boxes, plastic wrap and a timer.

Procedure
1. Use a digital thermometer to measure and record the starting temperatures of the following four arrangements.
A) The refrigerator
B) The freezer
C) An ice box filled with ice
D) An ice box filled with ice and water

2. Measure and record the starting temperature of the soda inside each of the 12 cans by opening them and then sealing them with plastic wrap immediately.

3. Place three cans each in arrangement A), B), C) and D).

4. Note the starting time of each arrangement.

5. Check the temperatures of the liquid (soda) from each arrangement every 5 minutes and write down the time and temperatures.

6. Continue recording the time and temperatures till the temperatures stop changing.

7. Calculate the average temperature for the three cans in each arrangement at every time interval.

8. Draw a joint bar graph and plot the elapsed time on the x-axis and the average temperatures on the y-axis. Graphs drawn during science fair experiments can tell the judges about the success of your experiment with a single glance.

Before you declare your results wrong, let me tell you that your freezer is not the quickest way to cool a soda can. So your results may be right. Which method does your graph show as the quickest one?

My goal is to help you make a science fair project that is fun and hassle free. For more free info on great projects or to get a complete "science fair project in a box" kit, check out the links below.

Good Luck!
Aurora