Objectives/Goals
The goal is to determine if dyed table napkins are
less absorbent than un-dyed ones.
Methods/Materials
All napkins are the same brand and size with the
only difference being the color of the dye. Eight colors compared to white. One
# 100 ml graduated cylinder.
One # 9x13 glass pan; One # plastic funnel; One # timer;
One # tong or tweezers. Napkins are placed in glass pan, 100ml of water poured
over it, one minute to soak, one minute held above pan to drip, then napkin
discarded.
Water remaining in pan poured back into graduated
cylinder and measured. Repeated 5 times for each color. The amount of remaining
water was averaged.
Results
The results show that there is very little
difference with the absorbency of dyed versus un-dyed napkins.
The white paper napkin was the positive control and
according to the hypothesis, it should have absorbed the most water. The black
paper napkin was the negative control and it should have absorbed the least water.
Both controls absorbed about the same. All colors absorbed about the same with
a small difference with the orange napkin.
Conclusions/Discussion
The hypothesis for this experiment, dyed napkins
will absorb less water, is not true. The process to dye a paper napkin does not
interfere with the water retention. The key to absorbency is the cellulose
fiber and the amount of embossing, or air pockets, created in the design.
This
experiment could have been improved by using a sample that is unbleached to see
if it absorbs more water. As a concern, dyed napkins cannot be used in compost
piles at home.
Project Summary
The absorbency of various colors of table napkins
was tested and compared to see if the color made a difference.
Project by Nicole S. Avant
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