Wgu Int1 Task 3

Problem Statement

This experiment is to test the levels of moisture which can be held by different brands of toilet paper. Are the cheaper store brand versions just as effective and absorbent as the more expensive brands? Three brands of toilet paper will be purchased, all of which will be two-ply: two store brand and one higher grade name brand versions.

The experiment will be conducted by taking one square of each brand and securing them above a container. Liquid will be introduced to each square by a standardized dropper which excretes a standardized 20 drops per milliliter. The test for each square will end once water drops through the sheet.

Literature Review

Many companies will advertise specific highlights of their products such as absorbency and strength. Just how do these claims hold up versus more economical choices? There have been experiments conducted both proprietarily by the manufacturer as well as third-parties to test absorbency. Most of this documentation is in regards to paper towels, but the idea is much the same: testing absorbency. The documentation of past experiment that are more easily accessible are university-level experiments and one which caught interest was that of Pennsylvania State University’s guideline example to conduct such an experiment entitled “Paper Towel Strength and Absorbency.” This gave fairly direct procedure example of how to complete this study (Pennsylvania State University, n.d). Tappi, an organization devoted to the research of paper, pulp, and similar products also gave guidelines on how to test multiple paper-based substances (The Tappi Organization, n.d).

Experimental Procedure

- Obtain three brands of toilet paper, all of which being two-ply and of the same size in square inches

- Organize data gathering materials and materials to conduct the experiment

- Obtain one equally sized square of each brand

- Secure the squares to equally sized containers

- Release one standardized drop at a time and at a...