Hobbies And Interests
Materials
A science project on cola's effects on teeth requires a supply of cola, a cup and a small scale capable of measuring very small changes in the tooth's weight. Both triple beam balances and small digital scales are capable of measuring small changes is a tooth's mass. A tooth is also needed, whether it is someone's baby tooth, wisdom tooth or an animal tooth procured from a taxidermist.
Scientific Method
The four steps of the scientific method will help determine the validity of this claim. First, the observer describes the conditions of her experiment, taking note of the ingredients in her cola and what she knows of their effects. Second, she formulates a hypothesis to demonstrate the causal relationship she believes exists between the cola and the tooth. Next, she makes predictions, stating whether or not she believe the tooth will dissolve. Finally, she performs the experiment to see if the result is consistent with her expectations.
Procedure
The tooth's weight is recorded at the beginning, then it is placed into a glass of cola and left undisturbed for the length of the experiment. After an initial period, the tooth is removed and weighed again. If the tooth's weight has not changed, the experiment can continue over a period of several days or weeks, testing the result of prolonged exposure by weighting the tooth at regular periods and then returning it to the cola to allow more time to dissolve.
Follow-Up
After the initial experiment, the researcher may have additional questions. These can be addressed by introducing variables, like other liquids. The results may vary for exposure to orange juice, water or milk, or due to turbulence in the cola caused by regular stirring. The researcher may also measure other long-term effects, such as staining or enamel loss, and record all of his findings for later comparison. If he is sharing his results in an academic paper or a science fair, his final step is to create the presentation that will share his findings with others.