Guide

Main Module | Energy from Mud? Thank a Microbe!
26
Scientic Investigations
ScieNtific iNveStiGatioNS
SelectingVariables(cont.)
Hereareafewsuggestionstogetyoustarted:
• Try differentsoiltypes from different locations to see which
soil type produces more power
• Add something creative to the soil in one Mudwatt™ to see
if power production increases (Think, what would a microbe
like to eat? Hint: what molds or goes bad quickly?)
• Determine if the voltage, or current, or time to reach a
maximum amount of power is affected by the changed
variable
• Change the temperature of the soil
• Change the distance between electrodes
3. Create a testablequestionfromyourchoiceofindependent and dependent
variables:
Example: Does the type of soil used affect how much
voltage is produced in a MFC?
4. Hypothesis:Beforebeginningyourexperimentmakeaprediction.
Doyouthinkchangingtheindependent variable will affect the dependent
variable?Whydoyouthinkthis?
Example: Soil type will affect the voltage produced by the MFC. I think
that the soil from the forest will produce more electricity than the soil
from the garden because the forest has more decaying material in it.
activity 2