Testing Materials

We are talking all about whether materials are waterproof or absorbent. We carried out some investigations to see which were absorbent and which were waterproof.

The materials we decided to test were: a sock, a plastic bag, tissue paper and a rubber glove.

With each material we wrapped it around one of our hands, then dipped our hand in a basin of water. Next we took the hand out of the material and placed it on a piece of dry tissue.

If the dry tissue became wet that meant that the hand got wet, and this means that the material being tested was absorbent. If the dry tissue stayed dry, then the material being tested was waterproof. We discovered that tissues and socks are absorbent, while rubber gloves and plastic bags are waterproof. Now that we know how to do the test, we can try lots more materials at home.