Potato Osmosis Lab

Data Presentation:

Graph 1: Color vs Mass

The solutions in the colors red, orange, and blue had final weights greater than their initial weights. The potato cores gained mass. The yellow, green, and purple sucrose solutions had initial weights was greater than their final weights. The potato cores loss mass.

Table 1: Color vs Percent Change

Color

Percent Change red 5.22 % orange 10.81 % yellow -5.20 % green -1.56 % blue 9.45 % purple -1.81 % water 9.67 %

Percent Change in Mass = Final Mass – Initial Mass X 100 Initial Mass

The red, orange, and blue sucrose solutions resulted in percentage changes that were positive. Their final masses were greater and these solutions were hypotonic. The gain in mass suggests that it’s is a hypotonic environment because the solution moved into the potato core/cell. A hypotonic environment

The lab also supported: the more mass the potato cores gain, the more hypertonic potato cores are to the sucrose solutions. Sources of human error could have been cutting the specific measurements potato, forgetting to zero the electronic mass, and/or reading/recording data incorrectly. The potato cores were cut from different potato which may have skewed the results. Some cores could have also been cut more diagonally than others, resulting in a greater volume to surface area ratio. There were no noticeable mistakes made that could be pinpointed and I do believe that the data was relatively accurate. I am not sure how the lab could be modified to improve the results. For most of the lab, I was not present, so I am not aware of any inherent weaknesses. Overall, the results were pretty similar to the intended conclusions, with the exception of purple and green / .6 M and .8 M being reversed. The difference in percent change was .15% and the cause for this was not