Go to a cabinet shop or lumber store that has different kinds of wood in stock. I would select six different types of wood have them cut to the same size say 1 inch by ½ inch by 6 inches. (1″ X ½” X 6″)

Than I would find six test tubes and stands for them. A gram scale.

Label each wood strip.

Identify which woods are hard wood and which are soft woods.

The person at the store can help you with that.

EQUIPMENT NEEDED

6 test tubes and holder

scale

paper towel

note book

labels

six strips of different wood

THE EXPERIMENT PROCEDURE

1.) Weigh the each of wood strips.( So many grams each.) Record the weight.

2.) Pore in the exact amount of distilled water in the six tubes. Leave enough room for the wood strips.

4.) Weigh the water and the test tube. Record the weight.

5.) Place the wood strips in the tubes. Tape the strips so they are submerged in the water all the way to the bottom of the glass.

6.) Weigh the wood strips and test tube. Record the weight.

7.) Let set for 24 hours.

8.) Pore the water out and weigh the test tube and wood strip.

9.) Subtract the difference from step #6. This will tell you how much water was absorbed in each wood strip. Record the weight.

10.) Note which woods absorbed the most water. (Hardwood vs softwood)

11.) Write your conclusion.

You might explain why the softwood absorbed more water than the hardwood. Or the density of each wood.

A = PINE

B = ASH

C = MAPLE

D = WALNUT

E = OAK

F = CEDAR

Keep a good record and notes on your experiment. Write a good report or conclusion and be careful with your measurements.