Gummi Bear Lab Experiment.

In class, we did a lab where we tested the affects of seltzer water, dish soap, vinegar, and other common house-hold items on Gummi Bears. In our lab groups, we were able to choose a variable. (dish soap, vinegar, etc.) We were also given one Gummi Bear and a plastic cup along with a ruler to make observations with. The Gummi Bear was placed in the cup and after this was done so, we added our variable into the cup as well. But before we put the Gummi Bear in the cup with our variable, we measured the size, length, width, etc. of the Gummi Bear. We recorded all of our observations and wrote a lab report after the experiment was complete. But this did not take place until the following class. We left the Gummi Bear in the cup with our variable for roughly 24 hours. After the 24 hours was over, we checked to see if the Gummi Bear had changed at all due to what we left it in. In my group's case, we left the Gummi Bear in vinegar. The next day, we noticed that the vinegar had disintegrated the Gummi Bear into almost nothing. Another group had left the Gummi Bear in seltzer water and the Gummi Bear had almost doubled in size, if not more. With that, we realized that different variables would have different affects on the candy.

I believe that some of the ingredients included in a Gummi Bear were what allowed it to disintegrate when left in vinegar. One of the main ingredients in a Gummi Bear being sugar, which, of course, will disintegrate when left in any type of liquid, may have been a large part in the reason as to why the candy practically melted. (information gathered from http://www.infoplease.com/)

In my opinion, this lab was very helpful and educational. In the beginning, most of us probably were thinking that not much would happen to the Gummi Bear if left in what seemed to be just regular house-hold items that we see every day. In the end, we saw that the majority of us were wrong because the "regular house-hold items" did have a very large affect on the candy. For example, the vinegar disintegrated the Gummi Bears unlike the seltzer water which cause the Gummi Bears to seem as if they were growing. This lab taught us how certain items affect one another and things aren't always what they seem.. (;