Question

Question 1: Hypothesis and Data Collection

Fill the balloon with water until it is the size of a golf ball, and tie a knot in the end. Make sure there are no air bubbles in the balloon. In the plastic container, mix the plaster of Paris powder with water until it is as thick as yogurt, and then press the balloon into the center. One-third of the balloon should be below the surface of the plaster. Set the container aside until the plaster sets.

Part A
In this experiment, you will place the container in the freezer. What do you think will happen?

Answer 1

Hypothesis: When the container with the balloon and plaster of Paris is placed in the freezer, the water inside the balloon will freeze and expand as it turns into ice. As the water freezes, it will exert pressure on the plaster, causing the plaster to crack or deform. The extent of cracking or deformation may depend on the strength and thickness of the plaster.

Part B of the experiment would typically involve conducting the experiment and observing the actual outcome to confirm or reject the hypothesis.