2019 Year 12 IB Extended Essays

a clear distinction between all three samples. A reason for such distinction may be the result an uncontrolled variable manipulation of the data (i.e. due to temperature). The test was completed throughout the month of February whilst the experiment itself was conducted throughout May. The National Centre of Environmental Information shows an average drop of four degrees Celsius (4˚C) between the months of February and May - the time frame in which the tests were conducted (NOAA, 2019). As explained throughout the background research, temperature does affect the formation of rings. This average drop of 4˚C difference could explain the difference in formations between the test results and the experimental results.

18