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The Power of Words

CYSF · 2025

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Overview

I had a 'positive talk', 'negative talk', and normal apple, and over the course of a week I tested to see if one decomposed faster than the others.

Hypothesis

I think that the appearance of the apple will slightly change based on the positive and negative talk (the ‘negative talk apple’ will rot more quickly than the ‘positive talk apple’. This is because our words create energy (vibes) and can affect moods and self-esteem. Due to ethics, I can’t do this experiment on humans, so it might turn out differently.

Procedure

1) Put one apple half in each jar.

2) Label the jars ‘positive apple’ and ‘negative apple' (if not already labelled).

3) Talk positively to one apple half, and negatively to the other. Talk as if they were human.

4) Do this over 5 days. Record your observations.

Observations

Positive Apple

Day 1: It was still fresh, and off white in colour.

Day 2: It was very slightly yellowing, but mostly off white.

Day 3: It was still yellowing, but mostly off white. There were tiny brown veins coming from the core.

Day 4: Still no differences, except for condensation on the jar.

Day 5: No differences, smelled normal

Negative Apple:

Day 1: It was still fresh, and off white in colour.

Day 2: It was beginning to rot, and had a brown spot start to appear.

Day 3: It started to turn yellow, and also had more prominent brown veins grow by the core.

Day 4: It started to turn light brown

Day 5: Browning distinctly, and smelled rotten and sour.

Conclusion

I was correct because the ‘positive apple’ stayed very similar to its original form. The ‘negative apple’, on the other hand, started to rot and decay. Also, when I opened up the jar, the ‘positive apple’ smelled normal, and the ‘negative apple’ smelled rotten and sour.

Reflections: Because the apple’s appearance changed so much, it’s safe to say that positive and negative words and tone of voice affect the human body and brain just as much. Words can lower our self-esteem, and eventually lead to severe depression. This experiment also shows that it’s not just humans that can be affected by words. Dogs, cats, birds, reptiles and surprisingly, apples can be affected by words and tone of voice. Remember; words are powerful!

Awards (1)

  • HONOURABLE MENTION

Competition history

  • CYSF 2025 Category not listed

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Source: Calgary Youth Science Fair

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