Science Fair Projects with Paper Towels

A simple idea when presented well with a logical explanation and accurate results becomes something great. So how would you make good use of paper towels to generate new ideas for conducting science experiments? Have a look.

Paper towels are nothing but a simple tissue roll that you use more often in your kitchen. They are made up of disposable papers, capable of absorbing water, dirt, grime, oil and stains. The filter paper cones used in laboratories for the purpose of straining are also of similar quality.

These paper towels form the subject matter of a number of science projects owing to their physical properties that prove useful in forming a hypothesis. Although the options are limited, we have provided you the best experiments that you can do with paper towels.

We are all aware of the fact that the quality of different brands vary a lot and so does the price. You can utilize this concept as the aim of your project work, as absorbency is the most important property of a paper towel.

You can buy three to four different brands of paper towels for determining their quality individually. You can proceed with the experiment this way

• Fill three or four plates with equal amounts of water. Fill three fourth of each plate with water.
• Taking the same measurement, take out a few sheets from each paper towel roll.
• Dip the tissue pieces separately in each plate containing water and note the time.

• The paper towel that absorbs water the fastest has the highest rate of absorption.
• Jot down the experiment in steps and form a conclusion with the experimental results.
• With this simple experiment you come to know the best brand amongst those chosen by you.

Paper towels also act as filters. You can experiment with this property quite easily with some other materials, like cotton, newspapers and small gravel. After making the filters with these materials, you can analyze the filtering ability of the paper towels.

You also need to collect impure water from a pond, or a puddle, or contaminate it purposely with impurities. Here are the steps.

• Roll the paper towels in the form of cones, resembling filters.
• Now pair one cone with another (you have to make six cones to pair them) by placing one inside the other.
• Fill the double layered filters separately with cotton, gravel and newspaper.

• Insert the three paper towel cones individually in three glass jars.
• Now pour the impure water in the jar through the cones.
• The paper towel that contains the highest load of impurities acts as the best filter.

You might have noticed that the paper towel or the tissue you are using tears immediately when soaked in water. This shows that it has a low capacity to retain water. Utilize this idea for a science fair project with paper towels. You can collect different brands of paper towels for conducting the experiment. Let's find out method from the following points

• Take out a sheet from each roll of paper towel.
• Wet the sheets with equal amounts of water. Handle carefully to avoid tearing.
• Now cover the top of the cups separately with each sheet.
• Keep adding coins on the top of each wet sheet.

• The paper towel that rips off first is of the lowest strength.
• You can represent this paper towel fact with appropriate diagrams along with some good theory.

Those were some of the most interesting science fair projects with paper towels. Such experiments are usually assigned to elementary level students to make them understand the basic scientific properties pertaining to substances that are of regular use. Jot down the results and prepare a project that will be well appreciated by your teachers.