Student Research Project

Which brand of Paper towel will absorb more water?

Aim: To see whether the most expensive brand of paper towel (Handee Ultra)
will absorb more water than the least expensive brand (Coles Smart Buy).
Hypothesis: Handee Ultra will absorb more water than Coles Smart Buy.
Controls: Amount of water, size of measuring jug, time paper towel left in water,
amount of paper towel put in the water, temperature of water.
Independent variable: type of paper towel
Dependent variable: amount of water absorbed
Equipment: -3x sheets of Handee Ultra Paper towel
-3x sheets of Coles Smart Buy Paper towel
-2x measuring jugs
- 600mL of water (100mL in each jug)
-Container (for wet paper towels)
-stopwatch
Method:
1. Pour 100mL of water into a measuring jug.
2. Place one sheet of Handee Ultra into the water for 10 seconds (make sure
the paper towel is completely within the water).
3. Remove paper towel from the water and place in the container.
4. Record how much water has been absorbed by checking how much water
is left in the measuring jug.
5. Repeat for the two other sheets of Handee Ultra.
6. Repeat steps 1-5 using the Coles Smart Buy Paper towel.
Results:
Trials
1
2
3
Average

Amount absorbed (mL)

Handee Ultra
21
17
18
18.7 (1dp)

Amount absorbed (mL)

Coles Smart Buy
19
18
15
17.3 (1dp)

Gemma AllanMrs Walters- 9R1 Science

Which brand of Paper towel

absorbs more water?
19
18.5
18
Amount of water absorbed 17.5
17
16.5
Coles Smart Buy
Type of Paper Towel

In this Experiment, the results showed that Handee Ultra absorbed more water
than Coles Smart Buy. In the experiment, the highest amount of water absorbed
for Handee Ultra was 21mL and the least amount absorbed was 17mL. With
Coles Smart Buy, the highest amount absorbed was 19mL and the least amount
absorbed was 15mL. In both cases there was a difference of 4mL between the
highest and least amount absorbed with each paper towel. There was a 1.4mL
difference between the Handee Ultra and the Coles Best Buy.
Discussion: During this experiment there were a few struggles but it was an
overall success. The first and only limitation was that the paper towels purchased
were different in that Handee Ultra was 2 ply and the Coles Smart Buy was only
one so I had to separate the two plies so that it was a fair test. This made sure
that there was only one variable.
It was successful as there wasn't many problems and it was simple to read the
measurements due to an accurate measuring jug. If I was to improve this
experiment or change it I would try to see the results of different substances to
see if it makes a difference in how much is dissolved.
Conclusion: I accept the Hypothesis, Handee Ultra did absorb more water than
Coles Smart Buy although I did expect the difference to be much larger.

Gemma AllanMrs Walters- 9R1 Science