Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

If I mix vegetable oil with water, then it will separate (even if I stir it well), but when I pour it through soil, the soil soaks up the oil.
If I pour the water and vinegar into the soil, the soil will seep through the cheesecloth.
If I pour laundry detergent mixed with water through the soil, the soil will retain the suds

These are my hypothesis, but I need to know if they will actually happen?

Hi DONASH6626,
Welcome to Science Buddies!

It seems that you are about to conduct a project related to soil adsorption or permeability.
Since you are mixing three different substances (i.e., vegetable oil, vinegar, and laundry detergent) with water to test the retention of the soil, you should make clear of this in your hypothesis.

It's also a good idea to check out this link https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... #checklist to see if you met all the requirements in making a good hypothesis.

The next step would be writing a experimental procedure. In fact, Science Buddies provides a great guideline for this step: https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... dure.shtml

You should also organize a materials list along with your experiemental procedure.

Hope this helps and good luck!

-Grace