Science Fair Project

Biology Science Effects of food coloring on a flower

By: Atenea Saavedra

Statement of the Problem

What happens when food coloring is given to a flower?

Project Overview

I did a experiment to see if different amount of food coloring affects a flower. I used white flowers, so I gave the first one 0 drops, the second one 20 drops and the third one 40 drops. I left them in the sun from 8:00 a.m.-3:00p.m.. I observed them for a week. The second and third one began to show color at about the same time. The second one (plant B) began to die on the 7th day, the third plant(plant C) began to die on the 5th day. Plant A began to die the 10th day.

Variables

IV: Amount of food coloringI will give none to the first plant, 2 drops to the second plant, 4 drops to the third plantDV: If the plant growsThey will have the same sunlight, and water.Control Group: Same flower, water, containers, and sunlightThese will be the same so the no other plant will get more than the rest.Constant Variable: flowers, water, sunlight(start at 8:00a.m.-3:00p.m.

Hypothesis

What amount of food coloring will begin to affect a plant?

If I give two plants different amount of food coloring, would the affect be different on the

one that wasn’t affected?It may be possible that the two plants with

different amounts of 20 drops or 40 drops may live as long as a regular plant or just die way

before.

Materials

1 cup of water 0 drops of food coloring for flower A, 20 drops of food

coloring for flower B, 40 drops of food coloring for flower C 3 cups

9 white carnations Scissors

ruler

Procedure

1. Measure food coloring, and water2. Put flowers in containers

3. Add water4. Give 0 drops to A, give 20 drops to B, and 40 drops to

C5. Put under sunlight

6. Observe and take observations for 7 days or until they start dying

Add diagrams in your steps.

Photos

Data/Observations Analyzes

Conclusion

During the experiment in about a hour B started to turn blue first then C started to get darker blue and so on they kept Turing more blue. In 3 days the stems started to turn blue. In 5 days B started to die then C did the next two days. A died in about 9 days. The data did support the hypothesis because I did have a feeling that since there is a chemical in the food coloring it would affect the plant in some way.

Possible Experimental Errors

The errors I came across was the time on how long the flowers should be exposed to the sunlight. I was a

couple of minuets late but with all 9, I got the same results. I had but if I was to do this experiment again I

would film it so it shows the plant changing in the process.

Applications and Recommendations

I had but if I was to do this experiment again I would film it so it shows the plant changing in the process. I would also use more colors to see if they would have the same results. I would say if you don't want flower for more then 5 days but want them to stand out then go ahead and add

any food coloring to make them stand out.