Does the size of the main vent matter?

Student Researcher

Brandon Finley

School Address

Nespelem School

P O Box 291

Nespelem, WA 99155

Grade

8

Teacher

Sheri Edwards

Statement of Purpose and Hypothesis

I want to see if the size of the main vent played a role in how the volcano will erupt. What effect does the

size of the main vent have on the size of eruption the volcano has? My hypothesis was that

the size does matter: the bigger the vent, the bigger the eruption.

Methodology

In my experiment, I first decided I wanted to do this experiment. Then I did all my research on volcanoes. After that I wrote my research question, hypothesis, wonder question.

My research question was "what effect does the size of the main vent have on the size of eruption the volcano has?"

My hypothesis was that the size does matter: the bigger the vent, the bigger the eruption.

And last but not least, my wonder question was: does the size of the main vent have to do with the size of the eruption?

After that I gathered my materials. There were few different types of materials. Some of the important ones (are/were) one half-cup of hydrogen peroxide {each trial}, and one half tablespoon yeast {each trial). A few more important materials are the cones and the small jars, which by the way both played a huge role in my experiment. Then I proceeded to do the experiment, first testing the small vent. After testing the small vent I went on to do the medium or (regular) size vent. Then on to the large vent.

Summary and Conclusion

My data proved that the size of the main vent does mater. It shows this in trial one of my experiment. The small vent made the largest eruption. I know why it did this, and here is an explanation of it. When I mixed the materials, I put the cone over the jar and the material had no where to go so they were violently forced out of the top of the cone.

So therefore I do noy accept my hypothesis.

Application

Scientists can use this information from my experiment by looking at the size of the main vent. I have proven that the smaller the main vent, the larger the eruption we are going to have. So if you were to put my information with the predicting abilities of modern science, we could save more lives than we do today!