Methodology

2.1 Research sampling

Wooden disposable sticks and bamboo disposable chopsticks were selected as the sampling for
this experiment. The type of disposable chopsticks we have used in this experiment was single
pair chopsticks which are two separate chopsticks, while the type of disposable sticks we have
used was round wooden sticks with a sharp tip. The wooden disposable sticks and bamboo
disposable chopsticks were randomly bought from the market in Gombak area.

2.2 List of material

Part 1
3 fishes with their water
80 wooden disposable sticks
20 bamboo disposable chopsticks
Distilled water
Part 2
3 final solutions from the Part 1
dilute sulphuric acid
aqueous barium chloride
Part 3
4 water bottles (500mL)
40 wooden disposable sticks
10 bamboo disposable chopsticks
Aluminum Foil
Manganese oxide

2.3 List of apparatus

Part 1
3 beakers (500mL)
A pH meter
Part 2
6 test tubes
Part 3
4 beakers (500mL)
2.4 Procedure
Part 1
1. Pour 300mL distilled water into the three beakers and label as beaker A, B and C.
2. Carefully transfer three fishes to each beaker.
3. Measure the pHs of each water in three beakers and distilled water. Record the values
into the proper table.
4. Place 20 bamboo disposable chopsticks into the beaker A. Make sure not to stress the
fish.
5. Place 80 wooden disposable sticks into the beaker B. Make sure not to stress the fish.
6. Continue measuring the pHs every 1 hour until the fishes in the beakers A and B are
dead. Record the pHs and the time fish died.
Part 2

1. Label the test tubes as A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, and C2.
2. Pour the 3 final solutions from Part 1 to corresponding test tubes.
3. Pour sulphuric acid to the test tube A1. Smell the odour and record.
4. Pour sulphuric acid to the test tube B1. Smell the odour and record.
5. Pour sulphuric acid to the test tube C1. Smell the odour and record.
6. Pour Barium chloride to the test tube A2. Record the observation.
7. Pour Barium chloride to the test tube B2. Record the observation.
8. Pour Barium chloride to the test tube C2. Record the observation.
Part 3
1. Cut disposable wooden sticks and bamboo chopsticks into small pieces.
2. Cover the 500 ml bottles with aluminum foil so that light would not enter.
3. Label the bottles as A1, A2, B1, and B2.
4. Put bamboo disposable chopstick pieces as many as 20 whole bamboo disposable
chopsticks into the bottle A1 and fill it with water.
5. Put wooden disposable stick pieces as many as 20 whole wooden disposable sticks into
the bottle B1 and fill it with water.
6. Put bamboo disposable chopstick pieces as many as 20 whole bamboo disposable
chopsticks into the bottle A2 and fill it with vinegar.
7. Put wooden disposable stick pieces as many as 20 whole wooden disposable sticks into
the bottle B2 and fill it with vinegar.

8. Leave 4 bottles for 3 days.

9. Pour the solution from A1 to 500 ml beaker and quickly add manganese oxide to it.
Record the observation.
10. Repeat step 9 for B1, A2, and B2. Record the observations.

2.5 Data collection

A pH meter has been used to measure the pH value of the water in part 1. According to
Wikipedia, a pH meter is a scientific instrument that measures the hydrogen-ion concentration
(or pH) in a solution, indicating its acidity or alkalinity. The pH meter measures the difference in
electrical

potential

a pH electrode and a
The pH scale of a pH
to 14. A pH of 7 is
than 7 is acidic. A pH

between
Scale

Acidity or alkalinity

Strongly acidic

Strongly acidic

Strongly acidic

Strongly acidic

Scale to determine the

reference

electrode.

meter ranges from 0

neutral. A pH less
greater than 7 is basic.

pH value of water
4

Weakly acidic

Weakly acidic

Weakly acidic

Neutral

Weakly alkali

Weakly alkali

10

Weakly alkali

11

Strongly alkali

12

Strongly alkali

13

Strongly alkali

14

Strongly alkali