edited by Johnsburg Central Schwl North Creek. NY 12853
The Quicker Picker Upper Experiment
a
Albert J. Snow Eastchester High Schwl, Stewad Place, Eastchester. NY 10707 Most of us are familiar with the television commercial "Bounty-the Quicker Picker Upper" that demonstrates the speed and effectiveness of "Bounty" in blotting up a liquid spill. This commercial, widely sekn on television,~affords science teachers an excellent opportunity to investigat? the proress of nhwrption and rapillary action in simple. sate, inexpensive, student-oriented lahs. 'l'u hegin with, it wmdd he auire desirnhle if the Hountv rommercial rotlld hc videotapei hy students or teachers and shown prior to the investigation. The experiment involves collecting paper towel samples (students to supply samples), assisting students in designing experiments that control variables, collecting data on the experiment, researching theory, drawing conclusions as to the claim of Bounty (accepting or rejecting a hypothesis), and developing . .. laboratory variations for further investigation; tdifferent solvents, trmperatures. etr.). The fullowing is the series of steps tttili~edhy my Itegents rhemistry class at Easrrhesrer Iligh School: ~
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A. Generate a general hypothesis or problem statement (e.g.,
Bounty will absorb faster than.. .).
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B. List procedures: 1. Cut 10%-in.x ll/a-in.strips and mark bottom of strips (use a Daner din to hold strins . in .nosition in solution). 2. use 1-L beaker filled with approximately 100 mL of water. Lower sample strips to mark on strip. 3. Recoid temperature of water. 4. Record the time it takes for water to move up 1%in. 5. Repeat at least 3 4 times and collect data so that an average time of capillary rise can be calculated for each sample. 6. Graph results. Simple bar graphs will do. 7. Test variations to the experiments (e.g., temperature effects). 8. Discuss results. 9. Cite references.
Journal of Chemical Education
A sampling of the results of the Eastchester investigation showed in order of quickness of absorption: 1. Bounty 2. Kleenex 3. Scott Towels 4. Brand X
(Our school's paper towels, Brand X, absorbed water about as well as a sheet of glass.) Using a d i s s e c t i n ~ m i c r ~ s c oour ~ e , students drew the ohserved fiber patterns of the various toweling samples. The results were interesting since they supported a contention that patterns affect the absorbing ability. This investieation leads to consideration of a varietv of scientific processes and concepts, experimental techniques, research into theorv. " . communication skills. and. for teachers who worry, an experiment that is safe, that uses no dangerous, toxic, or carcinogenic material.
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