National Chemistry Week - Experiments - Dry Paper

THE AIM:

To keep a piece of paper towel dry even after placing it under water.

WHAT YOU WILL NEED:

• 1 clear drinking glass
• 2 sheets of paper towel
• water table or bucket taller than the glass

WHAT TO DO:

1. Fill the water table or bucket with water.
2. Wad the paper towel into a ball and push it down into the glass.
3. Turn the glass upside down. The paper towel wad should be wedged in the glass.
4. Keep the glass upside down and vertical while pushing it under the water.
5. Do not tilt the glass as you lift it out of the water.
6. Dry your hands and remove the paper towel allowing the students to observe that the paper towel is dry.

The glass is actually full before it even enters the water. It has paper and air inside of it. The air takes up the space that the water would like to get into. The air inside can be considered to be a guard that protects the paper towel. Since the air is already there taking up the space, the water is unable to enter the glass.