Ava Aierstok

Abstract:

This study is related to the spread of aerosols through the transmission of a cough in a classroom with different levels of airflow. This is important because it can show if airflow causes aerosols to spread farther or if airflow helps make a classroom safer. Studies have shown that a cough can travel six feet and a person can throw from 900 up to 300,000 aerosols from their mouth. My hypothesis was that If there is more airflow in a room then the aerosols will not be able to travel as far and consistently as they would without airflow. I will do a test with the room closed, then a one with the door opened, one with the windows and door opened, and finally one with all windows and the door opened with a fan on. I will use a spray bottle to replicate a cough. I will use a mix of glycerine, water, and red food coloring to replicate the cough. I am going to place long sheets of graph paper on the floor and a sheet hanging up. I will compare which part of the grid had more droplets. My data suggests that when the room is closed there are more aerosols on the floor. When the door is open it stays relatively the same. When the windows and door are opened the aerosols dissipate. Finally when a fan is turned on the aerosols can spread farther.

Awards Won: 2nd Place and Regeneron Award