Conclusion (wrap up investigation – discuss results in a paragraph(s) that answers the following prompts)

Question

was the hypothesis true or false
what is the data that told you it was true or false
describe errors or issues that happened during the experiment
was there a problem gathering data
would more trials have provided more reliable inforation
was it difficult to measure or time the events, or build the models
did the seeds not sprout, plants die, liquids spill, etc.
how did you change the process to adjust for the problem experienced
give suggestions for another investigation that could be done in the future to add new information to what you discovered

DATA: Filter Media
Dirty Water pH
pH after Filtration [Trial 1]
pH after Filtration [Trial 2]
pH after Filtration [Trial 3]
pH after Filtration [Trial 4]
pH after Filtration [Trial 5]
Avg.
Cotton Balls
6.2
6.4
6.5
6.4
6.5
6.6
6.48
Coffee Filter
6.2
6.5
6.6
6.4
6.6
6.6
6.54
Charcoal
6.2
6.4
6.5
6.4
6.5
6.5
6.46
Sand
6.2
7.0
7.1
7.1
7.0
7.2
7.08
Marble
6.2
6.7
6.7
6.8
6.7
6.8
6.74

HYPOTHESIS: If different methods are used to filter polluted water, then cotton balls would be most effective, because the cotton balls fibers could trap the solid particles.

CONTEXT CLUES: (1) In conclusion, the hypothesis that cotton balls would be the most effective method for filtering polluted water was false due to the data collected during the experiment. (2) The average pH after filtration for cotton balls was 6.48, which is lower than some of the averages such as sand (7.08), marble (6.74), and coffee filter (6.54). Showing that those filtration media had a better removal of contamination than the filtration media cotton balls. (3) During the experiment there was one significant issue that may have affected the data, which was tying coffee filters at the neck of a water bottle for extra protection. Some of the filtration media would have passed through the neck because of how tiny it was such as sand and marbles. Because of this extra protection, it may have altered the data by preventing a true representation of the filtration effectiveness of those media.

Answer 1

In conclusion, the hypothesis that cotton balls would be the most effective method for filtering polluted water was proven false, as evidenced by the pH levels recorded after filtration. The data showed that the average pH after filtration for cotton balls was 6.48, which was lower than the averages for sand (7.08), marble (6.74), and coffee filters (6.54). This indicates that these filtration media were more effective in removing contaminants than cotton balls, contradicting our initial hypothesis. One significant issue encountered during the experiment was the method of securing the coffee filters at the neck of the water bottles, which inadvertently allowed finer particles like sand and marble to escape. This likely affected the data, as it could lead to an underestimation of those materials' filtration capabilities. Additional trials would have provided more reliable information by allowing for a more consistent assessment of each filter’s performance, as variations might have underscored the results. Furthermore, accurately measuring and timing the filtration process proved challenging, especially given the varying granularity of the filtration media and the clogging that sometimes occurred. Moving forward, adjustments could include better securing methods for the filters to prevent material loss and ensuring a standardized setup for each trial.

For future investigations, exploring the effectiveness of additional filter materials, such as activated charcoal or specific grades of sand, could provide valuable insights into water purification methods. Additionally, examining the impact of different flow rates on filtration efficiency could yield further information about optimizing these filtration systems for practical applications.