Absorption is defined as taking one thing into another. A good example is a sponge absorbing water. Materials that can absorb water, called absorbent materials, include textiles, wood, paper products, sponges and feathers. Non-absorbent materials include metals, plastics, glass and stones. The ability to absorb water differs between materials, with some absorbing more than others, like sponges absorbing more than newspapers. The absorption ability of sponges also depends on their material, size, dryness, and porosity.

1. Absorption (Year 3)
What is the definition of “absorption”?
Absorption can be defined as taking one thing into
the area of another. One good example is 'a
sponge'. A sponge will absorb or take in water from
another area and put it inside of itself.
Which Type of Materials Can Absorb Water?
Some materials can absorb water while some
cannot. The materials that can absorb water are
called "absorbent materials" and the one that
cannot absorb water are called "non-absorbent
materials".
Absorbent materials are:
• textile products that are made of cloth
(cotton, silk, wool) for examples towels,
handkerchiefs, t-shirts, socks, jeans, denim,
robes, traditional cloth diapers, shirts, ties,
blouses, formal dresses, lingerie, pyjamas,
kimonos, blankets, carpets, woolen garments
and etc.

2. • objects that are made of cotton for examples
cotton bud, coffee filters, cotton wool, face
cotton, floor mop, thread and etc.
• objects that are made of wood for examples
envelopes, toilet roll, books, tissue paper,
newspaper and etc. Coconut-husk and tree
trunk also can absorb water.
• other objects such as sponges (natural and
synthetic) and feathers.

3. Non-absorbent materials are:
• objects that are made of metal for examples key, nail
clipper, coin, tin can and etc.
• objects that are made of rubber for examples eraser,
rubber gloves, tyre and etc.
• objects that are made of plastic for examples plastic
pail, plastic bag, cutting board, rain coat, umbrella,
tent, polystyrene container and etc.
• objects that are made of glass
• other objects such as pebbles, stones and marbles.
Absorption Ability Are Differ from Materials to
Materials
Different materials have a different ability to absorb water.
Some materials can absorb more water than others. For
example, a sponge can absorb more water than a roll of
newspaper.
Experiment on Sponges
The ability to absorb water can also be differ from sponges
to sponges and the following circumstances are taking into
account.
• material - man-made sponges commonly made from
cellulose wood fibres or foamed plastic polymers
• size - a large sponge can hold more water than a small
sponge

4. • condition - a dry sponge can hold more water than a
wet sponge because the wet sponge is closer to
saturation and as such cannot hold more water.
Sponges with more tiny holes can absorb more water
than the sponges with less tiny holes
• fluid - the type of fluid being absorbed, water or
water-based solutions