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Dry Paper Towel Experiment

Target Age: 4 and up

Topics: Physics
Concepts: Air Pressure
Estimated Time: 10 minutes

Brief Description: A paper towel is put into a small cup and pushed all the way to the bottom so
that it would stay if the cup was flipped over. The open side of the cup would then be pushed
down into a tub of water so that the cup is touching the bottom of the tuband is fully submerged.
After a period of time, take the cup out of the water while making sure the top of the cup keeps
facing down while being taken out of the water. Take the paper towel out of the cup and it will be
found that the towel is dry.

The Science Behind It: Even though the paper towel was under water it stayed dry. This is
because of the air that is also in the glass. When the glass is lowered into the water the air is
trapped inside and has nowhere to go. Because of this, the air pushes the water away as the glass
is lowered. When the air pushes the water away it keeps the water from touching the paper towel.
That is why the paper towel stays dry.

Materials:
● Large Container
● Enough water to fill the container high enough that you can completely submerge the
glass in it
● Glass
● Paper Towel

Procedure:
1. Begin by filling a large container full of water. There must be enough water in the
container for you to completely submerge the glass.
2. Next tear off a section of paper towel and stuff it into the bottom of the glass.
3. Carefully turn the glass upside down.
4. Carefully lower the glass straight down into the water. Ensure that the glass does not tip
to the side. Lower the glass until it is completely submerged.
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5. Pull the glass straight out of the water. Ensure that the glass does not tip to the side. Then
carefully remove the paper towel from the glass.
6. Once you remove the paper towel you will find that it is still dry even though you just
submerged it in water.

Discussion Questions:
● In what other ways does air pressure affect the world around us?
● How is air pressure affected by temperature?
● How is air pressure affected by elevation?