Rock Porosity and Water Storage

Medium

Can some rocks hold more water than others? Rocks have tiny holes and channels that trap liquids like water and oil. Some rocks soak up water like a sponge. Others let it pass right through. You test different rock types by soaking them in water. Then you measure how much each one absorbs. You also check how easily water flows through each sample. By the end you see which rocks store the most water. You also learn why certain rocks are better at holding oil and gas underground.

Hypothesis

The hypothesis is that different types of rocks have different porosities and permeability, affecting the amount of water they can hold.

Method & Materials

You will weigh, measure, and submerge six types of rocks in water. Then, you'll record their weights after 10 minutes and after 24 hours, and every day for three days.

You will need six types of rocks, a beaker for each rock sample, a graduated cylinder, an electronic balance, and water.

Results

Shale and sandstone absorbed the most water, which implies they have the best combination of porosity and permeability to hold the water. Porosity is the measure of the tiny air spaces within a rock, while permeability is the ability of a rock to allow fluids to flow through it. Porosity refers to the rock's ability to hold a fluid, whereas permeability is the rock's ability to resist or allow the flow of a fluid through it. Thus, out of the rocks tested, shale and sandstone have the best potential to hold water, oil and gas.

Why do this project?

This science project is unique because it provides hands-on experience with rock formations' properties and potential to hold water, oil and gas.

Also Consider

Experiment variations include testing different types of rocks or changing the duration of submerging rocks in water. Additionally, the experiment can be repeated using oil to understand how well these rocks can hold oil.