Subject: What is a good way to test absorbancy in paper towels?

I'm doing a science fair project on paper towel and I need a good way to test absorbancy and weight of 
paper towel. can you help me?

Response:

Re: What is a good way to test absorbancy in paper towels?

Hi Morgan,

Thanks for submitting your question to the MadSci Network. The best way to test
the absorbancy is by measuring the amount of water that a given piece of paper 
towel absorbs under controlled conditions. The one way to measure the amount 
of water absorbed is by measuring the weight of the paper towel before and after
water is applied. Another way is to measure the time it takes for a paper towel to
become saturated.

You can apply water through several methods. First, weigh each paper towel that 
you are going to test. Then submerge the towel in a large volume of water, so that 
you are sure that it is completely saturated with water. Take care not to crumple the 
towel up. You will have to remove the towel from the water (intact, in one piece), 
drape it over a non-absorbant wire (a metal coat hanger for example), and let the 
water drip from it until it stops dripping. Then remove the towel from the wire 
and weigh it again. The difference between the wet and dry weights of the towel
is the weight of the water it absorbed. By dividing the weight of the water by the
dry weight of the towel, you can calculate the maximum mass of water absorbed 
per unit of towel mass. This will allow you to compare the maximum amount of
water different towel brands can absorb.

Knowing the maximum water that a towel can absorb, a second method is to pour 
a specific volume of water (of mass equal to 50% of the lowest maximum mass of
any of the brands you are testing) onto a countertop for each towel brand. Then lay
a paper towel sheet on the countertop and touch one corner of the sheet to the edge
of the pool of water. Time how long it takes for each towel to absorb the pool of 
water. This will allow you to test how quickly each brand can absorb water. You 
can then compare the maximum amount of water that each brand can absorb to the
rate at which each brand absorbs water. 

When you do these experiments, they should be done under the same conditions
(same temperature, same countertop, same water source) as much as possible. 

Good luck!

Steve Mack, Moderator MadSci Network

_______________________________________________________________
I'm doing a science fair project on paper towel and I need a good way to test absorbancy and weight of 
paper towel. can you help me?


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