Paper Towels: Absorbing the Facts Sarah Jean Hendra 1 st Grade, Age 6 April 30, 2006 Misawa, Japan Scientific Investigation

Objective Determine which paper towel absorbs the most water. Determine which paper towel absorbs the most water. Determine which paper towel can hold the most weight. Determine which paper towel can hold the most weight. Document results Document results Have fun Have fun Scientific Investigation

Research Internet Google Search provided Several Different Sites with Similar Projects Internet Google Search provided Several Different Sites with Similar Projects Keyword: “Paper Towel Science Project” Keyword: “Paper Towel Science Project” –1,120,000 results in 0.09 seconds Chose the following (1st Returned Result): Chose the following (1st Returned Result): Scientific Investigation

Search Results Scientific Investigation

Background Living in Japan, we tried to compare US paper towels to Japanese paper towels. Living in Japan, we tried to compare US paper towels to Japanese paper towels. Search of Japanese grocery store (Universe) yielded NO Japanese paper towels. Search of Japanese grocery store (Universe) yielded NO Japanese paper towels. Settled on three different US brands Settled on three different US brands –Bounty, Viva, and Mardi Gra Student observations: Student observations: –Viva is the softest. –Mardi Gra is the roughest. Scientific Investigation

Most Absorbent Procedure (1) 1. Measure 100ml of water in beaker. 2. Fold paper towel and place in graduated cylinder. 3. Carefully pour water into cylinder while starting timer. 4. After 15 Seconds, carefully wring all water from the paper towel in the cylinder. 5. Pour the remaining water from the cylinder into the beaker. 6. Measure the remaining water. 7. Document results. Scientific Investigation

Strongest Procedure (2) 1. Measure 100ml of water in beaker. 2. Tightly seal container with paper towel around top. 3. Put 20 metal balls on the towel. 4. Pour 100ml water onto the paper towel. 5. Add 20 additional balls. 6. Pour an additional 100ml water onto the paper towel. 7. Add additional balls until the paper towel broke. 8. Document results. Scientific Investigation

Most Absorbent Results TestBountyViva Mardi Gra 114ml16ml7.5ml 210ml13ml7ml 313.5ml12ml7ml AVG12.5ml13.66ml7.16ml Strongest Results TestBountyViva Mardi Gra Balls Scientific Investigation

The Absorbent Experiment Measuring The Scientist Starting the Experiment Wringing Excess WaterPreparing to Measure Results Scientific Investigation

The Strongest Experiment The Scientist Counting out the Metal Balls The Experiment Scientific Investigation

Experiment Observations Viva was the most absorbent Viva was the most absorbent Mardi Gra was the least absorbent Mardi Gra was the least absorbent Bounty was the strongest Bounty was the strongest “Paper towels are used more to wipe stuff up.” “Paper towels are used more to wipe stuff up.” Experiment Conclusion Which paper towel would you buy? Which paper towel would you buy? –“Bounty because it is strongest.” –“Viva because it is the most absorbent.” Which paper towel is better? Which paper towel is better? –“Probably Viva because it absorbs more.” Scientific Investigation

The Display Scientific Investigation