The Solvents!

How permanent are permanent markers?

Purpose The purpose to this project is to determine which solvents will remove permanent markers. This is important because if you need to remove permanent marker you will know what to use.

Hypothesis We hypothesize that the detergent will remove the most marker first.

Procedure

materials cm 10 cm cloths 1 quarter 4 permanent markers 4 jars or containers 100 ml / of alcohol 100 ml/of dish detergent 100 ml / of hairspray

Manipulated variable-solvents Responded variable-the amount of permanent marker removed Constant variables-size of cloth, amount of marker used, size of cups

Directions 1. Cut cloth into cm x 10 cm pieces. 2. Trace a quarter of each cloth piece. 3. Color in circle with a Sharpie. 4. Fill one cup with 100 ml water. Label cup. 5. Fill one cup with 100 ml alcohol. Label cup. 6. Fill one cup with 100 ml dish detergent. Label cup. 7. Fill one cup with 100 ml with hair spray. Label cup. 8. Place one cloth piece in each cup. 9. Let soak for 24 hours. 10. Remove from cup and rate using a rating scale 0 through 10 with 0 being no stain removed and 10 being stain completely removed. 11. Repeat steps 4-10 for four trials.

Our Science Project

Conclusion Our hypothesis was incorrect. Hairspray, winning by only one tenth, is the best solvent for removing permanent marker. The averages stain removal rate for hair spray was 9.7, alcohol was 9.6, detergent was 4.0, and water was 3.8. If we had to do this investigation again, we might try to shake the jars instead of letting it soak over night.