Hands-on InquiryHands-on inquiry is an important part of science as we look at experimenting to find out the answer to our questions. Many experiments are completed in class and can be highly structured such as this one or more open. The more complex tend to be more open.
Before you start.... Download and complete the attached proforma. Question Which paper towel brand will soak up the most water? Independent variable (we are changing) Type of paper towel Dependent variable (we are measuring) Measure the amount of water soaked up Controlled variables (all other variables need to be controlled) The size of the paper towel, time of towel in water The place where the water has been spilled The measuring container can you think of anything else ? |
How will you measure the amount of water soaked up by each towel? Will completing the investigation just once be sufficient? |
Materials
Paper towels (3 types A, B, C), water (coloured), measuring device, container, scissors. Method 1) Cut the paper towels so that they are all the same size and shape 2) Fill a container with 30 ml of coloured water 3) Put the paper towel into the container and wait for 30 seconds 4) Pull out the towel and wait until the towel has stopped dripping 5) Then measure the amount of water remaining in the containing using a measuring cylinder 6) You need to repeat this investigation with each brand of paper towel, and you need to repeat the investigation three times each. Results (see the table and graph attached) Discussion The graph shows that the paper towel 3 absorbs the most water and paper towel 1 absorbs the least amount of water. So the best paper towel is paper towel 3. The science behind this phenomena relates to the design of the paper which impacts on the capillary action and consequently the absorbency. PMI Positive Negative and Improvement Positive- Negative - the paper towel dripped on the bench and not in the container Improvement - the measuring cylinder was only accurate to 2 ml, more trials would improve the accuracy of the investigation |