Some materials soak up water — Physical education, 4–6 years
Materials behave differently when water touches them: some let it in, while others keep it out.
Soaking up or keeping out
A sponge or cloth has tiny spaces that can hold water, so the water soaks in. Plastic, glass and a raincoat do not let water pass through easily, so drops stay on the surface. These are different ways materials respond to water.
The problem water causes
People needed ways to clean spills, dry hands and keep clothes or homes dry. A material that soaks up water helps remove it, while a water-resistant material helps block it. Choosing the wrong one can leave a table wet or a coat soaked.
Testing three materials
Put one teaspoon of water on a cloth, a sheet of paper and a plastic lid. After one minute, the cloth is damp and the paper may be soft, showing that they took in water. The plastic still has a drop on top, showing that it kept most water out.
A small drop can still soak in
A material may look dry after a tiny splash, but that does not prove it is waterproof. The water might have spread through spaces too small to see or dried quickly. It is reasonable to trust our eyes, so testing with the same amount makes the comparison fairer.
Choosing the right material
Kitchen towels and tissues are made to absorb spills. Umbrellas, boots and waterproof covers are made to keep rain out. A towel would be a poor umbrella, and a plastic sheet would be a poor hand-dryer because each material has a different job.
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