Preliminary Experiment
Objectives
1-To choose the best candy containing menthol to be used in the main experiment of the project.
2-To try out the procedure and find out any details we missed during the planning.
3-To determine if any change in the position of the thermometer in the mouth can affect the results.
Materials
1-The Candies/Gums containing menthol are: M1, M2, M3.
2- The candies without menthol: C1
3-Two digital thermometers.
4-Alcohol 95% for disinfecting and cleaning the thermometers.
5-Cotton balls to clean the thermometers with.
6-Water at room temperature in individual cups.
Conditions, Variables and Procedure
The experiment was performed on 6 unrelated different individuals.
The measurements of the temperature were done on the tongue and below the tongue to see the difference in the results.
The candy is sucked only on the tongue and not on other parts of the mouth.
Temperature of the mouth was measured: before sucking the candy, during, and after sucking the candy. And since we feel much cooler when drinking water after finishing the candy, measurements of the mouth temperature were taken also after drinking water at the end of the experiment.
Description of the Candies
1- M1 candy( with Menthol)
2- M2 Gum ( with Menthol)
3- M3 Candies (with Menthol)
4- C1 Gum ( control)
Note: The composition of all the candies used in our experiments is attached in a separate sheet at the end of the report.
The RESULTS
The results are summarized in the table below:
|
Temperature (°C) |
|
Teacher's code |
Before Sucking the candy (°C) |
During sucking candy (°C) |
T (BD) (°C) |
After Sucking candy (°C) |
T (DA) (°C) |
After drinking water (°C) |
T (AA) (°C) |
T (BA) (°C) |
|
M1 +Menthol |
Above the Tongue |
F1 |
35.5 |
37 |
+ 1.5 |
37 |
0 |
36 |
-1 |
+1.5 |
|
F2 |
34.8 |
36.7 |
+1.9 |
36 |
- 0.7 |
35.2 |
- 0.8 |
+1.2 |
||
|
AVERAGE |
|
|
|
+1.7 |
|
-0.35 |
|
-0.9 |
+1.35 |
|
|
Below the tongue |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F3 |
35.8 |
36.9 |
+1.1 |
36.8 |
- 0.1 |
36.5 |
- 0.3 |
+1 |
||
|
F4 |
35.5 |
37.5 |
+ 0.5 |
37.3 |
- 0.3 |
37 |
-0.3 |
+1.8 |
||
|
AVERAGE |
|
|
|
+0.8 |
|
-0.2 |
|
-0.3 |
+1.4 |
|
|
M2 +Menthol |
Above the tongue |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F5 |
35.2 |
36.0 |
+0.8 |
36.9 |
+ 0.9 |
36.7 |
- 0.6 |
+1.7 |
||
|
F6 |
35.3 |
35.7 |
+ 0.2 |
35.6 |
- 0.1 |
35.4 |
-0.2 |
+0.3 |
||
|
AVERAGE |
|
|
|
+0.5 |
|
+0.4 |
|
-0.4 |
+1 |
|
|
Below the tongue |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F7 |
36.3 |
36.8 |
+0.6 |
36.9 |
+ 0.9 |
- 36.7 |
- 0.2 |
+0.6 |
||
|
M3 +Menthol |
Above the tongue |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F10 |
36.3 |
37.0 |
+0.7 |
36.8 |
- 0.2 |
36.5 |
- 0.3 |
+0.5 |
||
|
Below the tongue |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F11 |
36.1 |
36.6 |
+0.5 |
36.8 |
+ 0.2 |
36.3 |
- 0.5 |
+0.7 |
|
C1
CONTROL |
Above the tongue |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F8 |
35.8 |
35.8 |
0 |
35.8 |
+ 1 |
35.6 |
-0.2 |
0 |
||
|
Below the tongue |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F9 |
35.8 |
36.2 |
+0.4 |
36.4 |
+0.2 |
35.8 |
-0.6 |
+0.6 |
Discussion of the Results
-
By comparing the obtained results, the best change in temperature of the candies and gums with menthol was with M1. (Δ BD +1.7 °C and ΔBA +1.3°C)
-
The results above the tongue with M1 were more important than the results below the tongue.
-
The temperature of the mouth stayed above the initial temperature ( before giving Menthol candies) even after drinking water at the end of the experiment although the cold sensation was amplified and the individual felt it even more than at the beginning of the experiment where no menthol candies were given.
-
As for the control it showed different results from those with menthol. So we will be able to discuss these changes in the major experiment where we are going to collect more data.
Conclusion
-
M1 will be the chosen candy containing menthol for the students' experiment.
-
The time at which the temperature will be measured during sucking "M1" should be specified (for example: After 1 minute from putting "M1" in the mouth).
-
The individuals will be asked to finish all the candy before measuring the temperature of the mouth after the sucking.
-
The temperature will be taken also after the students finish sucking the "M1" candy and drink water to get more information.
-
A change in the position of the thermometer in the mouth does change the results.
-
So, the measurements of the temperature will be done on the tongue near to the candy to get accurate results about the direct effect of menthol in the mouth.
FoLlOw Us In ThE BiG ExPeRiMeNt To UnCoVeR ThE mYsTeRy Of MeNtHoL
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