Entrapped Air in the Fibers of Raw Cotton Contributes

More to its Buoyancy than Cottonseed Oil

John A. Doe, Jane A. Doe, John B. Doe

Paul D. Camp Community College
Smithfield, Virginia (USA)

Abstract.

Introduction. Does raw cotton float because of entrapped air or its cottonseed oil coating? As
both components decrease the density of raw cotton, the question is which decreases its density
more. To determine the total buoyant force of the raw cotton, the displacement is measured.
Acetone only dissolves cottonseed oil. Cottonseed oil controlled for, the test for the buoyant
force of entrapped air is to increase atmospheric pressure until the raw cotton sinks. Air is more
compressible than cottonseed oil. Entrapped air controlled for, the test for the buoyant force of
cottonseed oil to apply a mechanical force to the raw cotton and increase it until it sinks. If either
component was insufficient for the raw cotton to float, then the difference between the total
buoyant force and the buoyant force of the sufficent component is enough information to
determine the buoyant force of the insufficient component.

Materials and Methods

Results and Discussion

Acknowledgements

Literature Cited