How Soluble is Sharpie Ink in DIfferent Water Temperatures?

8-8190

Eighth Grade

Archdiocese of San Francisco

Nativity Catholic School

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2024 San Mateo County Office of Education STEM Fair

Abstract

The title of my project is “How Soluble is Sharpie Ink in Different Water Temperatures?”. In my experiment, I tested the solubility of Sharpie ink in four temperatures to determine the best type of water to use to hypothetically dissolve ink on skin. My hypothesis was that the boiling water would have the highest rate of success, due to the heat expanding the ink. In order to conduct this experiment, I had to set variables, both independent and dependent, and constants. The independent variable was the water temperature—Ice Cold (34°F), Room Temperature (56°F), Lukewarm (98°F), and Boiling (212°F)—and the dependent variable was the solubility of the ink, affected by the temperature of the water. I used the same amount of water, the same beaker, the same dot size and distance from the bottom edge of the paper, the same amount of time for each strip, and the same Sharpie. Following my procedure, I let the strips of paper with the ink soak for 30 minutes and let it dry, repeating this process four times. Then, I used a ruler to measure the distance between the spot where the ink started and where it ended. I then collected all the data in a table, and the results that I compiled were not at all what I was expecting: the ink never moved in any of the temperatures. With this data in mind, I can confidently conclude that Sharpie ink will take a stubbornly long time to disappear no matter what water temperature you use to remove it.

Purpose Statement

The purpose of this experiment is to determine the temperature that will best dissolve a set amount of Sharpie ink. My main reason for choosing this specific topic is because I tend to draw on myself—mostly my hands—a lot, and Sharpie markers just so happen to be my typical (and favorite) choice of pen. As it’s a permanent marker with long-lasting ink, Sharpies are difficult to remove from skin. Depending on the method of removal, the amount of time it takes for the ink to no longer be visible on your skin varies. By finding the best temperature, this tedious process will be shortened. Therefore, anyone who finds themself in this certain situation can use these findings to successfully (and hopefully efficiently) remove the ink from affected areas.

Hypothesis

I think that the temperature the ink will be most soluble in is the boiling water (212°F) because the heat will accelerate the molecules and energize them, therefore giving them more volume. If the molecules follow the direction that the towel or other application method is moving in until they decelerate, they should travel farther than molecules in any other state.

Experimental Procedures and Materials

• Chromatography paper strips
• Black fine point Sharpie marker
• Water
• Ice cubes
• Microwave
• Kettle
• Ruler
• Scratch paper
• Plastic beaker (should have a 100 ML mark)
• Food-safe thermometer
• Pencil

Experimental Procedures and Materials

Strip 1: Ice water (30+°F):

• Fill a beaker with 100 ml of ice water.
• Measure and draw a line (with pencil) on a strip of chromatography paper about 1 cm above where the water rises in the beaker, then draw a dot with the Sharpie. (Try to keep this dot size even for the next few strips.)
• Place the strip in the water.
• Wait 30 minutes.
• Take the paper out and let dry.
• Empty beaker of liquid; use paper towel to dry.

Experimental Procedures and Materials

Strip 2: Room Temperature water (56°F):

• Fill a beaker with 100 ml of water from fridge and repeat steps 2-6.

Experimental Procedures and Materials

Strip 3: Lukewarm water (98°F):

• Gather 100 ml of water in a cup.
• Heat the cup of water in the microwave until desired temperature (in this case, around 98 degrees).
• Carefully pour the water into the beaker and repeat steps 2-6.

Experimental Procedures and Materials

Strip 4: Boiling water (212°F):

• Gather 200 ml of water in a cup.
• Pour this water into an empty kettle and turn on.
• Wait until the kettle boils and the water is at desired temperature of 212°F.
• Carefully pour the water into the beaker and repeat steps 2-6.

Experimental Procedures and Materials

• Once strips are dry, take a ruler and measure the distance of the original starting pencil line to wherever the ink had stopped traveling.
• Record the distance of each dot on a piece of scratch paper.
• Compare the distances to determine the temperature with the best solubility.

Experimental Results

Sharpie ink did not react.

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Analysis of Experimental Results

In my initial experiment, following the given procedure, the Sharpie ink produced no satisfactory results. I think that this was mostly because of the fact that the formula for Sharpie ink is so effective that it is water-resistant. My hypothesis was disproved, as the boiling water nor any other temperature made any visible changes.

Conclusions

In my experiment, I tested how different water temperatures affect the solubility of Sharpie ink. My hypothesis was that the boiling water would have the greatest effect, due to its reaction with the molecules in the ink. In my initial test, none of the inks were able to dissolve the ink and make it travel up the strip. This unexpected result therefore disproved my hypothesis. If I were to change this experiment in the future, I would probably use a pen that is not advertised as permanent, since the formula is likely water-repelling.

Acknowledgements

I would like to thank:

• my mom — for helping me order everything that I needed for my experiment and making sure that all of my slides were finished and submitted on time.
• my house — for having all of my other materials needed that did not have to be ordered.

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Bibliography and Sources

Science Olympiad. https://soinc.org/sites/default/files/uploaded_files/forensics/For_Chromatography3.pdf

Senese, F. https://antoine.frostburg.edu/chem/senese/101/matter/chromatography.shtml

Curry, A. S. (1954). The Application of Paper Chromatography to Forensic Chemistry. Northwestern Law. https://scholarlycommons.law.northwestern.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=4208&context=jclc

Bibliography and Sources

Truman ChemLab. (2015). PAPER CHROMATOGRAPHY. https://chemlab.truman.edu/files/2015/07/PAPER-CHROMATOGRAPHY.pdf

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