Name: __________________________
Laboratory Investigation:
Date: ____________ Period: ________
Comparing Paper Towels
Purpose: Students will use the scientific method to evaluate the
effectiveness of different brands of paper towels.
Materials:
 3 Brands of paper towels (5cm x 5cm square of each type)
 Dropper
 Water
Procedure:
1. Before conducting the experiment, make a guess and rank the paper
towel brands from least to most absorbent. Give a reason as to why you
chose to rank the paper towels in this order.
2. Lay each piece of the three paper towel brands on a level, smooth,
waterproof surface. The top of your desk will work for this.
3.
Add one drop of water to the center of each square.
4. Continue to ass drops until the piece of paper towel no longer can
absorb the water (the water will begin to spill down the desk.)
5. Repeat steps 2 through 5 two more times (for a total of three
trials.)
6. Tally all observations in the data table and graph the results of
your investigation.
Analysis :( Answer all questions on a separate piece of paper in complete
sentences)
1. Did all the squares of paper towels absorb equal amounts of water?
2. If one brand of paper towel absorbs more water than the others, can
you conclude that it is the towel you should buy? Explain.
3. Which scientific methods did you use to compare paper towel
absorbency?
4. Rank the towels from least to most absorbent and from least to most
expensive. Summarize how absorbency and cost are related.
Conclusion:
Write a one-paragraph conclusion explaining the investigation and the outcome
of the investigation. You may write this conclusion on the same page as the
analysis questions.
Name: __________________________
Date: ____________ Period: ________
Paper Towel Absorbency (Drops of Water Per Sheet)
TRIAL
1
BRAND A
BRAND B
BRAND C
2
3
Average of
Trials
Number of Water Drops
Paper Towel Absorbency
Brand A
Brand B
Brand C