Conclusion
This experiment demonstrated the process of cleaning up an oil spill by simulating such in a washbasin (ocean) with vegetable oil (crude oil). Detergents such as dish soap are used in actual oil spills, and the cotton balls and sponge simulate skimmers, or other means of absorbing or cleaning up the oil. If the amount of dish soap, for example, was multiplied by the number of times larger the affected area of ocean was than the washbasin, it could be equally as successful and if used in targeted areas it could have contained the oil within an area where it could be cleaned up. My hypothesis was supported, as the dish soap was most successful at containing the oil, being 70% successful, and the cotton balls most successful at absorbing the oil, being 55% successful. The material was the independent variable, while the dependent variable was the success of each material. This experiment was highly successful, with all variables such as the amount water and oil controlled.