1. Paper Towel Investigation

Tuesday, 25 February 2014

An investigation of how durability was affected when different types of liquids were absorbed

Group members:     Zara Guley, Jade Batley and Katy Birse

Introduction:  
                     

Advertisements for different brands of paper towel claim on brand is better than another. Our interests in determining which paper towel is ‘best’. In the investigation ‘best’ is taken to mean durability. Factors that may effect the durability include the thickness of paper towel, the weave, liquid being absorbed. This investigation focused on the absorbency of different brands.

Aim: 

The aim of the investigation was to observe how different types of liquids would affect the durability of the paper towel after absorption.

Hypothesis/Prediction: 

The hypothesis was that the paper towel would absorb the liquid, but the liquid would determine the durability of the paper towel. For example, the water should affect the paper towel more so as it would spread quicker than a thicker liquids.

Materials:

• Paper Towel (brand unknown) – cut into four equal portions
• 50 mL Water
• 5 mL Cooking oil
• 5 mL Pine-o Clean disinfectant
• 5 mL White Vinegar
• Food colouring
• 4 x dropper bottles

Safety Precautions/Considerations:

• Care with food colouring to avoid stains
• Normal safety considerations with allergies to food products

Process/Procedure/Method:

1. Pick one brand of paper towel, cut it into four even squares.
2. Pour each liquid into a separate dropper bottle.
3. Add three drops of food colouring to each liquid, use different colours for all four so you can tell which liquid is which.
4. Using the dropper bottles, pour four drops of an individual liquid onto the centre of one square of paper towel. 
5. Repeat this for each liquid on a new piece of paper towel.
6. Test the durability of every paper towel by pulling each side firmly.

 

Diagram/s:

Results:

The results were very inconclusive as the investigation could not be carried out fairly. After putting the liquids on the paper towel, it was discovered that the method of testing the durability was not effective or practical. Simply stretching/pulling the paper towel was am inaccurate way to test the durability as it could not be done the same every time, even with the same group member doing the "testing."

Analysis/Discussion: 
This investigation was very unsuccessful in the sense of achieving the aim. However, the investigation showed that not a lot of thought went into determining which liquid would affect the durability of an unknown brand of paper towel. A possible solution to this with a very similar test could have been to investigate the absorbency of a particular brand of paper towel judging by the amount of each liquid it consumed. However, this too would not determine the best paper towel as it is only affected by a certain liquid and not the effectiveness of the paper towel as a whole. To avoid this situation in the future, further plans and thought could go into the entire investigation rather than just simply thinking on the spot and as you go.