Does it Repel or Absorb Water?

This afternoon we did an experiment in Science.  Students worked together in groups of three to see which kind of material would absorb or repel water.  We tested cotton, rayon, linen and nylon.  Students tested the absorbency of these materials by releasing and counting water drops from a medicine dropper.  One person dripped, one counted and one watched to see when (or if) the water would go through the material and drop into the cup.

The students discovered that the blue material (rayon) was the best at repelling the water and the linen was the best at absorbing the water.

Students dropping water  onto fabric.

This was the rayon material.  A lot of water stayed on top of the fabric before it soaked through into the cup.

The rayon was the best at repelling water.  Students thought that this would be the best kind of material to sew a raincoat!