Log driving is a popular way to transport fresh lumber in regions with lots of waterways. In Canada lumber is a major part of the economy and provides many opportunities for shipment abroad. As Vancouver B.C. is a place with high levels of lumber and log rafting( both in river and ocean) the goal of our experiment was to find out which type of water would weaken wood the most.
If wooden popsicle sticks are placed in both ocean water and freshwater after a month, the sticks in the ocean water would end up being stronger and will snap under more pressure than the sticks submerged in fresh water. Our predictions was that ocean water would be stronger because the sodium content in the water would slow down and kill the bacteria that might cause deterioration of the wood. As Fresh water does not have any sodium content in it, bacteria will be able to grow without restriction therefore causing the wood to deteriorate faster.
The results of our experiment were actually the opposite of what we predicted in our hypothesis. The popsicle sticks submerged in fresh water became extremely bendy and very difficult to snap. This made it possible for the fresh water sticks to support more weight without breaking in back. On the other hand, the sticks submerged in ocean water were more rigid. However these sticks were easier to break because of their resistance against the force so they were able to carry less weight than the sticks which were submerged in fresh water. Both experimental groups showed a decrease in strength than the controlled group which shows that any type of water damages wood's ability to support weight.
Some sources of error which could be found in the experiment is the type of wood used. As the popsicle sticks we used were made of Birch which is a hardwood, results would differ if soft wood such as Fir or Cedar were used because of the different densities of the lumber. Different types of wood would also differentiate the type of bacteria or yeast that may infect them them because of the different physical components. Something else that could be considered is bark surrounding the wood. As the sticks we used are small planks of wood, results may differ if an actual tree was used for the bark of the tree may serve as a protection barrier against the water. The wooden sticks submerged in ocean water were indeed more rigid and seemed in better condition that the wooden sticks submerged in river water. However the sticks that were submerged in fresh water became extremely flexible, proving harder to snap in half. As the sticks submerged in ocean water were more rigid, they proved easier to break for they provided more resistance against the downwards pull of the weight.
If wooden popsicle sticks are placed in both ocean water and freshwater after a month, the sticks in the ocean water would end up being stronger and will snap under more pressure than the sticks submerged in fresh water. Our predictions was that ocean water would be stronger because the sodium content in the water would slow down and kill the bacteria that might cause deterioration of the wood. As Fresh water does not have any sodium content in it, bacteria will be able to grow without restriction therefore causing the wood to deteriorate faster.
The results of our experiment were actually the opposite of what we predicted in our hypothesis. The popsicle sticks submerged in fresh water became extremely bendy and very difficult to snap. This made it possible for the fresh water sticks to support more weight without breaking in back. On the other hand, the sticks submerged in ocean water were more rigid. However these sticks were easier to break because of their resistance against the force so they were able to carry less weight than the sticks which were submerged in fresh water. Both experimental groups showed a decrease in strength than the controlled group which shows that any type of water damages wood's ability to support weight.
Some sources of error which could be found in the experiment is the type of wood used. As the popsicle sticks we used were made of Birch which is a hardwood, results would differ if soft wood such as Fir or Cedar were used because of the different densities of the lumber. Different types of wood would also differentiate the type of bacteria or yeast that may infect them them because of the different physical components. Something else that could be considered is bark surrounding the wood. As the sticks we used are small planks of wood, results may differ if an actual tree was used for the bark of the tree may serve as a protection barrier against the water. The wooden sticks submerged in ocean water were indeed more rigid and seemed in better condition that the wooden sticks submerged in river water. However the sticks that were submerged in fresh water became extremely flexible, proving harder to snap in half. As the sticks submerged in ocean water were more rigid, they proved easier to break for they provided more resistance against the downwards pull of the weight.