Science Experiment

The Dropping Pins Experiment

Aim: To observe conduction along a metal rod.

Equipment: A metal rod, Retort stand and clamp, bunsen burner, petroleum jelly, 5-10 drawing pins, a stopwatch.

Method:
1. Set up and light a bunsen burner.
2. Smear a small amount of petroleum jelly on to the head of each drawing pin.
3. Attach the drawing pins at even intervals along the length of the metal rod.
4. Clamp one end of the metal rod to a retort stand.
5. Position the retort stand so the unclamped end of the metal rod is in the Bunsen flame and start the stopwatch.
6. Record the time it takes for each pin to drop in the table below.

Observations: I watched as the pins starting falling slower and slower.

Explanation:The heat from the bunsen burner transfers the heat down the metal rod making the particals Vibrating.

Pin Number         Times to drop
         1                      18 Seconds
         2                      44 Seconds
         3                      1.25 Minutes
         4                      2.04 Minutes
         5                      3.54 minutes