Procedure for Science Fair: Germinating Radiated Seeds

1. Retrieve a sheet of paper on which you can create a data table, and do so, making it appear similar to the one attached to the lab report.
2. Place the large magnet in the bottom of one of the planting containers.
3. Cover the magnet with soil, and plant 3 radish seeds approximately ½” deep in the soil.
4. Place the small magnet in the bottom of another planting basin, and repeat step 3.
5. Place the medium sized magnet in the bottom of a basin, and again follow the instructions as listed in step 3.
6. Continue this process until all magnets of different sizes have been buried under soil, and seeds planted in the soil above them.
7. Fill another pot with soil, and plant 3 radish seeds in it, again ½” deep in the soil (this is the control).
8. Water each pot with the same amount of (distilled) water every day, and be sure that each pot receives equal amounts of sunlight.
9. Record the height of the tallest plant in each pot (metric), every day following the planting, making note of which pot’s seeds germinate first.
10. After 10 days of recording the heights of the tallest plant in each planting basin, clean out each of the pots, keeping the magnets, and repeat steps 1-9 again.
11. Continue this process until 3 trials, at minimum, have been completed, but continue testing if time and resources allow.

Other posts on germinating radiated seeds:

Abstract for Science Fair: Germinating Radiated Seeds
The Research Paper: Grand Summary
Materials for Science Fair: Germinating Radiated Seeds
Science Fair: Germinating Radiated Seeds
Hypothesis for Science Fair: Germinating Radiated Seeds
Plan for Science Fair Project: Germinating Radiated Seeds
Procedure for Science Fair: Germinating Radiated Seeds
Procedure for Germinating Radiated Seeds... An Experiment
More of tracking progress in germinating radiated seeds
More of tracking progress in germinating radiated seeds - 3
Some History on the Experiment
A Conclusion to my Experiment about Germinating Radiated Seeds
Works Cited List for Science Fair Project: Germinating Radiated Seeds
Works Cited List for Science
Works Cited List for Science Fair: Germinating Radiated Seeds

Procedure for Germinating Radiated Seeds... An Experiment

The procedure for properly completing this project is not that difficult, but at times is a little time consuming. First, I went and purchased radish, sunflower, and tomato seeds. Then, I took one type of seed, and microwaved a few seeds for 15 seconds, 30 seconds, and 45 seconds. I then completed this another two times, giving me my three trials. After, I performed the same process for the other 2 types of seeds. After microwaving the seeds, I planted the microwaved seeds, and the non-microwaved seeds in soil, labeling each by their seed type, microwaved time, and trial number. Then, I watered the plants each day. When the first plant sprouted, I recorded which day it was on (after plating), and the plant height (cm). I did so for each plant until all of the plants had sprouted. During the process, I made several observations about the rate at which the plants were growing. After the sprouting process was complete, I compared the rate at which the plants sprouted, observing how some plants unexpectedly sprouted faster than others.

Other posts on germinating radiated seeds:

Abstract for Science Fair: Germinating Radiated Seeds
The Research Paper: Grand Summary
Materials for Science Fair: Germinating Radiated Seeds
Science Fair: Germinating Radiated Seeds
Hypothesis for Science Fair: Germinating Radiated Seeds
Plan for Science Fair Project: Germinating Radiated Seeds
Procedure for Science Fair: Germinating Radiated Seeds
Procedure for Germinating Radiated Seeds... An Experiment
More of tracking progress in germinating radiated seeds
More of tracking progress in germinating radiated seeds - 3
Some History on the Experiment
A Conclusion to my Experiment about Germinating Radiated Seeds
Works Cited List for Science Fair Project: Germinating Radiated Seeds
Works Cited List for Science
Works Cited List for Science Fair: Germinating Radiated Seeds

Science Fair Project?

Will seeds germinate faster if they have been radiated in the microwave?

Hypothesis
If I expose different seeds to radiation from a microwave, then I expect them to sprout earlier than non-microwaved seeds, because fats and oils don’t absorb microwaves as well as water does. So the parts of the seeds that become the hottest are those that contain the most water molecules. Evidently, heating the water-containing portion of a seed slightly causes that seed to germinate faster.

Procedure
I will expose different seeds to different amounts of radiation from a microwave and plant them in soil. I will then observe the plants every day until the first one germinates and then I’ll record the time and date that the seeds germinated on. Next, I am going to compare the germination rates for different seeds that were exposed to different amounts of radiation from the microwave. Finally, I will determine the amount of radiation needed to cause seeds to germinate the fastest.
Bibliography
Phyllis J. Perry, Science Fair Success with Plants (Berkeley Heights, New Jersey: Enslow Publishers Inc., 1999), 36-38.
Helen Sullivan and Linda Sernoff, Research Reports
(Brookfield, Connecticut: The Millbrook Press, 1996), 54.
Robert P. Gwinn, Charles E. Swanson, and Philip W. Goetz, “Microwave,” also “Electronic Oven,” Encyclopedia Britannica, 15th ed.