Scientific Method: How Much Water Can a Diaper Hold?

A different, and very intriguing question to try to answer using the scientific method. 

For a basic investigation, you only need a diaper, water* and graduated cylinder (or measuring cup).  Just for fun, you could add a drop of yellow food coloring to your water supply... it might completely gross you out, but middle school boys will be completely sold on it!

Open the diaper and pour 100 ml of water onto it. 

Hold the diaper by the ends and gently rock it back and forth until the water is absorbed.

Continue to add water, in 100 ml increments until the water is no longer absorbed. 

To take the experiment one step further, you can compare the absorbency of different brands of diapers.  Make sure you use the same size diaper for each brand.  After gathering your results, you could even determine the diaper cost per mL of water held!  Do the more expensive diapers hold more water?  Remember, for the most accurate results, you should test several diapers of each brand. 


*I've always seen this basic experiment done with plain water.  But, if you'd like to simulate urine, mix 9 grams of salt into a liter of water and use that solution.  I've read that the diaper will perform differently with this solution than with straight water.  That sounds like an experiment worth trying!