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Rusting nails project: variables vs. constants
Q. I need to know what the variable and constants are in the science experiment that involves if a nail rusts faster in oil, vinegar [in bulk on eBay or Amazon], or water?
Lorena L.student - Miami, Florida, USA
2003
A. Hi Lorena. Consider this question first: will people treat you nicer if you smile or frown when you are introduced to them? The variable would be smiling vs. frowning. You realize that you can't randomly kick a few of them in the shins during the introductions without spoiling the findings of your test of smiling vs. frowning. "Refrain from kicking them" would be a constant. You would know that if you dress in fresh jeans and T-shirt for the "smile" trial and you dress in a plastic garbage bag for the "frown" trial that your results will also be influenced by what you wore, and you won't be able to say whether it was the frown or the garbage bag that turned them off--so you must dress the same for both smiles and frowns if you want to learn anything.
In the oil, vinegar, water test, the variable is the thing you are deliberately changing in order to see if there is a difference in results (i.e., oil vs. vinegar vs. water). The constants are the things you need to make sure you don't change so as to not spoil the findings of your test (temperature, immersion time, type of nail).
Luck and regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
2003
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