Objective:
Sodium polyacrylate is the substance found in dippers and has the ability to bond with some oils to form a sponge-like material. The research aspect of this science fair project is used this material to determine what type of oils it can absorb.
Three oil types will be mixed with water and equal amounts of sodium polyacrylate will be added. A notation will be made of which oil(s) will be absorbed to form a sponge-like mass. Based on the results of this investigation a data table will be prepared. A practical application of the results of this project is to offer a possible alternative to the use of chemical dispersants in oil spill cleanups.