Science Project With Metal Pipes

Singing Pipes

• This project uses metal pipes and heat to create sound and must have adult supervision. Materials include a metal pipe, a heat torch, a 4-inch square of metal screen mesh, gloves and a stick or wooden spoon. Fold the mesh screen in half until it will fit inside the metal tube. Use the stick or wooden spoon to push the screen 4 inches away from the end of the pipe. Using the torch, heat the screen for ten seconds. Remove the flame then hold the pipe vertical. The pipe should "sing" and present a lesson about sound waves. Repeat as desired with pipes made from different materials.

Drinking Water

• This project is advanced. Materials include pH strips, water hardness kit, a kit for testing for zinc, iron and other metals, distilled water and several different pipe samples. Run distilled water through each pipe and into a container. Test each sample. Record which water sample picked up the least impurities.

Pipe Corrosion

• For this experiment use several different types of metal pipe, one container for each sample, fresh and salt water. Put the pipe samples in separate containers of water. Put one pipe sample in each type of water. Label each sample. Record which pipe corrodes first and which water sample it was submerged in.

Bursting Pipes

• Make sure there is an empty freezer in which to complete this experiment. For this experiment use several different types of short pipe. Cap one side of the pipe. Most hardware stores should carry pipe caps. Fill the each pipe with water and cap the open end. Place in the freezer and check periodically. Time how much has elapsed before each pipe bursts. Record which pipe bursts first.