Conclusion...

In conclusion, the aim of my experiment is to determine the effect different types of surfaces will have on the melting rate of ice. It was found that the metal surface had the most significant effect on the melting rate of ice as it is categorised as a type of heat condutor and that the plastic surface has the least effect on the melting rate. The hypothesis which states that the metal surface will have a more significant effect on the melting rate of ice as it is a type of conductor of heat, thus allowing it to melt faster, was proven correct. The information that was gathered by the research had proven to be a great help in regards to the experiment as it helped provide a predicted outcome of the experiment. In general, the experiment was a success as it was reliable, valid and accurate as it was repeated many times, answers the aim of the experiment and was conducted correctly.

Discussion...

This experiment was conducted to determine the effect different types of surfaces will have on the melting rate of ice. From the results that were gathered and from various observations, I can say that, the surface that has the greatest effect on the melting rate of ice is the metal surface. I can also state that, when the effect on the melting rate is specified from the most effective to the least, it will be: metal, wax, wood, paper then plastic.

Looking at the table and graph that was generated form the result of the experiment, we can say that metal was the surface that had the greatest effect as stated in the paragraph before. The average time it took for the metal surface to melt an ice cube was 46.02 minutes. The wax surface was the next most effective surface to melt ice with an average melting time of 82.98 minutes. After that is the wood surface. The wood took 109.84 minutes to melt the ice cube. Following closely behind is the paper surface, which took 111.33 minutes to melt the ice cube and the plastic surface which took 118.05 minutes.

This result is greatly supported by the background research that I have conducted beforehand. The information matches the results of my experiment perfectly as they were exactly the same. From the research, it was stated that metal would be the most effective surface to melt ice and was proven correct by my experiment.

When researching for the comparison between metal and wood , it was found that metal would still have the most effect on the melting rate. Also for the comparison between metal and plastic, the metal surface will also have the greatest effect on the rate of melting. All these comparison research was proven to be right by the results that were gathered from my experiment. The research was a very important part of the whole project as it helped me determine whether the results of my experiment was right or wrong.

Although the research had helped determine whether the experiment was wrong or right, the reliability and validity of the experiment also played a major role. My experiment is reliable as there were many controlled variable to help keep things in order and also that I had repeated my whole experiment several times. The repetition of my experiment helps provide a range of results, thus enabling me to be able to find an average of my results. This will then give me a more accurate result, which could be used to evaluate my aim.

My experiment is also valid as it answer my aim which is to determine the effect different type of surfaces will have on the melting rate of ice and also the controlled variables are kept the same throughout the whole experiment. This is proven by the results from both the table and the graph as the results are within a particular range meaning they are the same for nearly all the trials. Since my experiment is reliable and valid, I can also say that it is accurate and will provide me with the right results.

However, although my experiment is considered as a reliable, valid and accurate experiment, there might be some improvements that could be made, in order to achieve a much better result the next time I conduct the same experiment. This includes allowing the surfaces to be able to return to their original temperature before using them again for the next testing as, if there was no time given for it to return to it's original temperature, then it will greatly affect the results for the next testing. This is because the surfaces will have a different starting temperature and thus altering the outcomes. Another improvement may be to conduct the experiment during the same time frame of the day as to keep the surrounding environment aspects the same.

To conclude, my experiment wen quite well as the research supported the outcomes of the experiment greatly, thus allowing me to have an expected result. However, some minor improvements may be made the next time I conduct the experiment again in order to achieve a better result. Overall, my experiment has been a success as the result were reliable, valid and accurate.

Science report in progress...

Currently, since I have conducted my experiment, I am typing up my report in a scaffold format. Later when i finalise my science report, I will transfer all data into another document as my final report.

Result in graph...

Results in table...

Results...

It was proven that metal is indeed the surface that melts ice the quickest. the results are:

Metal: 46 minutes
Wax: 82 minutes and 58 seconds
Wood: 109 minutes and 40 seconds
Paper: 111 minutes and 32 seconds
Plastic: 118 minutes and 16 seconds