Name _____________________________________

Sponge Absorbency Lab

Objectives:
Obtain information about two or more objects or substances put together through
massing
Compare and contrast natural and synthetic sponges
Students will record and analyze data

Materials:
A Natural and synthetic sponge cut up (One inch Cube)
Water
Lab worksheet
Scales
Distilled water
Dish soap
Beakers (two)

Pre- Lab: Answer the following questions

1. What are two characteristics of the Phylum Porifera?

2. Name at least three ways sponges can benefit humans.

3. Give two benefits and one threat of sponges in an ecosystem.

Lab
1. Write a hypothesis: Which one do you think will hold more water? WHY?

2. Which one do you think will hold more soap water? WHY?
Data Table: Record your observations
Part One:
1. Weigh synthetic sponge and record the mass to the nearest gram _____________.

2. Weigh the natural sponge and record the mass to the nearest gram ____________.

3. Add the same amount of distilled water to the two beakers. Amount (ml) __________.

4. Add a sponge to each beaker and wait until they are fully saturated. (2 minutes)
5. Gently take the sponges out (one at a time) and let the excess water drip back into the
beaker. Weigh each one's mass and record it to the nearest gram.
Wet Natural Sponge Mass ______________
Wet Synthetic Sponge Mass ______________

6. Record the amount of water left in the two beakers in ml.

Water left in beaker holding Natural Sponge ______________
Water left in beaker holding Synthetic Sponge ____________

Part Two:
1. Ring out sponges as much as possible and reweigh both of them. Record the mass.
Mass of Natural Sponge _____________
Mass of Synthetic Sponge____________

2. Add water to both beakers so they both contain the same amount of ml and record.
Amount ______________

3. Add the same amount of dish soap (ml) in each beaker and record ___________.

4. Dissolve the soap thoroughly into the beaker water.

5 Add a sponge to each beaker and wait until they are fully saturated. (~2 minutes)

6. Gently, take the sponges out and let the excess water drip back into the beaker. Weigh
each one's mass and record it to the nearest gram.
Wet Natural Sponge Mass ______________
Wet Synthetic Sponge Mass ______________

7. Record the amount of soapy water left in the two beakers in ml.
Soapy water left in beaker holding Natural Sponge ______________
Soapy water left in beaker holding Synthetic Sponge ____________
Analysis:
1. Look at Part One: Take your dry sponge mass and subtract it from the wet sponge
mass and record it. _________________

2. Take your amount of water remaining in each beaker (after the sponge was in it) and
subtract it from the original amount of distilled water. Record it.
Water absorbed in Natural Sponge _________________
Water absorbed in Synthetic Sponge________________

3. Look at Part Two: Take your almost dry sponge mass and subtract it from the wet
sponge mass and record it. _________________
4. Take your amount of soapy water remaining in each beaker (after the sponge was in it)
and subtract it from the original amount of distilled water. Record it.
Soapy water absorbed in Natural Sponge _________________
Soapy water absorbed in Synthetic Sponge________________

Conclusion:
1. In Part One, which sponge absorbed more water?

2. In Part One, what percent of the water was absorbed by the natural sponge? By
the synthetic sponge?

3. Find 2 other groups’ data and record below:

4. What sponge absorbed more water than the other? Why?

5. How do you think water absorption affects the life of a sponge living in its natural
environment?
6. Did adding the soap have any effect on the results? If so, what effects did it have?

7. Are there any circumstances in which the soap would affect the life of a
sponge living in its natural environment? If so, when and how do you think it
would affect the sponge?

8. What substances found in fresh and salt water is the soap representing in this lab?

9. What type of sponge is best for cleaning your home? WHY?

Write two to three sentences about what you learned in lab: