Materials

Chemicals

Equipment

Preparation

Vial 1 – Large mint piece in water

1. Cut a large piece of mint using scissors.
2. Place the mint piece into a screw-top vial.
3. Add 12-13 mL of water.
4. Screw the top on the vial and push the mint leaf under the water.

Vial 2 – Chopped mint in water

1. Cut a piece of mint similar in size to Vial 1 and chop it into small bits.
2. Transfer the bits into a new vial.
3. Add 12-13 mL of water.
4. Screw the top on the vial and push the mint bits under the water.

Vial 3 – Large mint piece in oil

1. Cut another large piece of mint.
2. Place the mint piece into a new vial.
3. Add 12-13 mL of canola oil (or another neutral-scent oil).
4. Screw the top on the vial.

Vial 4 – Chopped mint in oil

1. Cut a piece of mint similar in size to Vials 1 and 3 and chop it into small bits.
2. Transfer the bits into a new vial.
3. Add 12-13 mL of canola oil.
4. Screw the top on the vial.

Experiment

1. Shake the vials
   Shake each vial very well to ensure full contact between the mint leaves and the oil or water.
2. Let the vials sit
   Let each of the vials sit for 15 minutes before continuing.
3. Simple smell test
   Open the vials containing water one at a time. Smell each of them and compare the intensity of the mint smell.
   Decide which one has a stronger mint smell. Repeat the same with the vials filled with oil.