Developing a research question and hypothesis!?

Question

Hey i am doing a project on the best way to light a fire in certain weather conditions!

What would be a good research question?

What would be a good hypothesis?

Can you please give me ideas on what i could do/materials i could use!

Answer 1

I remember watching Paul O'Grady recently  and ray mears was on there trying to start a fire..

xD He used the stereotypical way of rubbing two sticks together but it didn't work, so he resorted to some kind of striking method using a tool :P Another way could be to use the suns heat and magnify it using a magnifying glass or "Piggy's Glasses" lol Off Lord of the Flies :P

Good luck :)

Answer 2

You could investigate humidity's effect on the ability to light a fire.

Your hypothesis could be:

If high humidity affects the time it takes to light a fire, then lighting a fire when humidity is above 75% will take longer than the time it takes to light a fire when the humidity under 25%.

Make certain that all other variables are controlled.  This would include temperature, sunlight, fuel, wind, method of lighting fire, stop watch, lighter, psychrometer, etc.

You don't have to use 75% and 25%; however, the numbers need to be fairly far apart so you have a better chance of getting a significant difference.  For example, I am almost 100% certain that there would not be a time difference between 75% and 74% humidity.

Use a small amount of dry straw because that will be quicker.  Make sure that the straw has been inside and is dry.  You will need someone to start a stop watch as you work.  Use a lighter.

Be sure to repeat the process several times and keep accurate records.

Hope this helps you!