Which Diaper Absorbs More?

Caitlyn Connelly

Research

• A polymer is many molecules strung together to make long chains.

• Polymers enhance absorbency.• There are two types of polymers in Pampers diapers.• They are polyethylene and polypropylene. • Huggies contains the polymers: polyacrylate, polypropylene,

polyester, and polyethylene.

Vocabulary

• Absorb – verb; to suck up.• Polymer – noun; many molecules strung together to make

long chains.• Molecule – noun; the smallest particle of a substance that

retains all the properties of the substance and is composed of one or more atoms

• Atom – noun; the smallest particle of an element that can exist either alone or in combination

Variables

Independent variable – different brands of diapersDependent variable – amount of water absorbed

Purpose

The purpose of this experiment was to determine which diaper absorbs more water. I wanted to know this because my aunt is pregnant and I wanted to help her out by knowing which diaper absorbs more.

Hypothesis

If Huggies has more polymers than Pampers then it absorbs more water.

Materials

• 1 Scale• 5 Huggies diapers • 5 Pampers diapers• Syringe • 6 Drops of food dye• Water• 2 Glasses

Set Up

• First, take two glasses and fill them with water.• Then, add six drops of food dye to each glass.• Make sure your diapers are all the same size.

Procedure1. First weigh the diaper and record the weight.2. Using a syringe add colored water to the diaper until it

can’t absorb anymore.3. After the diaper reaches its maximum absorption,

dispose of the extra water the diaper didn’t absorb. 4. Then, weigh the diaper again and record the weight.5. Next, subtract the second weight from the first weight to

determine how much water the diaper absorbed.6. Record the difference.7. Repeat steps 1-6 for nine more diapers.*Note: You can refill the glasses as many times as needed or

use more glasses.

Pampers Data Collection

Trials Weight Before Weight After Diff erence

1 28.3 grams 424.5 grams 396.2 grams

2 56.6 grams 537.7 grams 481.1 grams

3 84.9 grams 339.6 grams 254.7 grams

4 28.3 grams 283 grams 254.7 grams

5 56.6 grams 396.2 grams 339.6grams

Huggies Data Collection

Trials Weight Before Weight After Diff erence

1 84.9 grams 707.5 grams 622.6 grams

2 56.6 grams 735.8 grams 679.2 grams

3 28.3 grams 735.8 grams 594.3 grams

4 56.6 grams 283 grams 622.6 grams

5 28.3 grams 707.5 grams 679.2 grams

Amount of Water Absorbed

Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Trial 4 Trial 50

100

200

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500

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700

800

HuggiesPampers

Am

ount

of W

ater

Abs

orbe

d (m

L)

Trials

Average Amount of Water Absorbed

Huggies Pampers0

100

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300

400

500

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700

800

Ave

rage

Am

ount

of W

ater

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orbe

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Brands of Diapers

Analysis

• I noticed in the Pampers brand that the thin netting on the inside seemed to have beads of water laying on it.

• Huggies had the same thickness of material on the inside as it did the outside. Also it did not have the waffle appearance on the inside like pampers did.

• I also noticed that Huggies was larger then Pampers, although they were the same size.

• I also ripped open the insides of both diapers to examine the materials used inside, they both looked the same.

Conclusion

Huggies absorbed more water then Pampers, this is because it had more polymers than the other brand. Huggies absorbs on average 312 more milliliters than Pampers. My hypothesis therefore was correct.

Weaknesses and Improvements

• I could have used more types of diapers. • I could have did more trials with each type of diaper.• I should have measured the length and width of each diaper.

Future Studies

In the future I want to discover if the netting in the Pampers had any effect on the absorbency of the diapers. I would also like to explore the different brands of diapers and compare their different absorbencies.

Sources

“Absorb.” 9 May 2009<http://www.meriam-webster.com/dictionary/absorb>.

“Absorbency.” 9 May 2009<http://www.meriam-webster.com/dictionary/absorbency>.

“Absorbent.” 9 May 2009<http://www.meriam-webster.com/dictionary/absorbent>.

“Absorber.” 9 May 2009<http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/absorber?gsrc=2446>.

Sources

Anderson, Dr. David. “Baby Diaper Polymer.” 24 April 2009<http://www.coolscience.org/coolscience/kidScientists/babydiaper.htm>.

“Atom” 20 November 2009<http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/atom>.

“Can You Tell Me More About Diapers for a Student Project?” 28 April 2009<http://babycare.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/babycare.cfg/php/enduser/popup_adp.php?p_sid=KmTmNuwj&p_lva=&p_li=&p_faqid=9433&p_created=1202310151&p_sp=cF9zcmNoPTEmcF9zb3J0x2J5PSZwx2dyaWRzb3J0PSZwx3Jvd19jbnQ9MTUzLDE1MyZwX3Byb2RzPTY2JnBfy2F0cz0wJnBfcHy9MS42NiZwx2N2PSZwX3Bhz2U9MQ**>.

Sources

“Colloid.” 25 May 2009<http://www.dictionary.reference.com/browse/colloid>.

“Gel.” 20 April 2009<http://www.askoxford.com/concise_oed/gel_1?view:get>.

Grassino, Susana. “Gel: A Short Word With a Long Meaning.” 9 April 2009<http://pslc.ws/macrogllgel.htm>.

Sources

“Huggies Products FAQS.” 29 April 2009<http://www.huggieshappybaby.com/products/index.aspx?faqs&_nc=633765409990802447&_nockcheck=true>.

“Molecule” 19 November 2009<http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/molecule>.

“What is a Polymer?” 27 April 2009<http://pslc.ws.macrogl/kidsmac/basics.1>.

Sources

“What is the Grainygel like Stuff in Diapers?” 12 May 2009<http://babycare.custhelp.com/cgi_bin/babycare.cfglphplenduser/stdadp.php?p faqid=2198&p created=1044986207&p sid=Qpw1 Exj&p accessibility=0&p redirect=&p lva=&p sp=cF9zcmNoPTEmc3Jvd19jbnQ9MjkmcF9wcm9Kcz0mcF9jYXRZPTEyMiZwX3B2PSZwX2NPTEuMTlyJnBfcGFnZT0x&p li=&p topview=1>.