Osmosis Investigation

Introduction & Aims

At present I am investigating Osmosis, and I have devised a experiment to investigate the rate of it. I have been provided with potatoes, and all the common laboratory equipment.

I will look at 2 variables, one discontinuous, one continuous.

For my discontinuous veritable I have chosen TYPE OF POTATO.

I will have 3 different types of potato, chosen randomly, and numbered A, B & C.

For my continuous veritable I have chosen TIME.

Every 5 minutes, I will record the mass of the potato chip, along with the length.

I hope to be able to carry out this investigation, and produce some accurate results, to conclude my investigation.

My Hypothesis

I think that the rate of osmosis in each of the types of potatoes will be virtually the same. As some potatoes have a different texture, the results will not be exactly the same. I think the colour of the potato chip may have an influence on the rate of osmosis.

1 and a half russet potato with sprouts. Sliced (l...

Fish and chips, a popular take-away food of the Un...

English: A pile of potato chips. These are Utz-bra...

From past experiments I think the each chip will lose on average around 0.25g in mass, and 4mm in length. The longer the potato is in the solution, the more the mass will rise until all the solution is absorbed into the potato.

Method

· I took 3 potatoes and labelled them A, B & C

· From each I cut a cylinder chip using a tool

· Using a ruler I made sure the length of the chips were the same

· I weighed each of the chips to the highest level of accuracy - (2 d.p.)

· I then measured the chips in mm

· I took 3 test tubes, for the chips A, B & C

· and filled each with 10cm3 of 1 molar sucrose

· I then inserted...