In an experiment comparing how much water different paper towels absorb, what is the next step after removing the towels?

• A. Weigh the towels after drying
• B. Record the initial volume of water in each beaker
• C. Measure the remaining water in each beaker and compare results
• D. Use a colorimetric test to assess absorption

Answer: (C)

After removing the towels, you want a direct, comparable measure of how much water each towel left behind. By measuring the remaining water in each beaker and comparing those amounts, you can see which towel absorbed more water, since absorption equals the initial water volume minus what remains. The initial volume should have been recorded at the start, and a colorimetric test isn’t relevant here. Weighing the towels after drying could confirm absorption later, but the immediate next step is to quantify the water left.