Scientific Method to the Rescue Will the strongest towel please stand up! Template courtesy of science-class.net

Purpose To practice using the scientific method to design and conduct an experiment To think like a scientist

Problem/Question Many brands of paper towels claim to be the strongest. Which brand of paper towel is the strongest?

Research In research laboratories, papermakers test the paper they make for physical properties such as : strength, absorbency, stretch, tear resistance, folding endurance, and stiffness. They also test for optical properties like: transparency, opacity, brightness, color, and gloss.

Research Since paper towels are usually wet when they are being used, the “wet strength” of the towel is important. Wet strength is the strength of paper when wet. This can be measured by the amount of mass that a wet paper towel can hold.

Hypothesis If different paper towels are tested for strength (__________, _______________, and ____________), then _____________ will be the strongest.

Experiment Gather materials: 3 brands of paper towels Graduated cylinder basin washers Water (how much in mL) Balance scale scissors

Variables Independent Variable: what you will change (the ‘if’ part of the hypothesis) Dependent Variable: what changes based upon the independent variable. (the ‘then’ part of the hypothesis). Constants: things that remain the same each time you perform the test.

Procedure Step by step process to follow Number the steps Use complete sentences. Be specific! Indicate number of trials

Procedure 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

Sample procedure idea Picture credit: www.tappi.org/paperu/fun_science/testStrength.htm

Analyze Data Create a data table that includes the trials and the average of all trials (the reduced data). Create a graph, using of the average information (the reduced data). Remember to label X and Y axis and give a specific title that relates to the purpose of the lab

Data Table # : Title Label Label: Brawny Bounty Scott Include a number Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Average Brawny # Bounty Scott Always include an appropriate title Include labels for columns; include units!

Use average, or reduced data Graph Use average, or reduced data Include a title and number Labels should include units where needed

Follow the directions to complete the conclusion template.

Lab Mrs. Ramirez is tired of the old brown paper towels the school provides. She thinks they are not strong enough for the heavy spills that occur in the lab. She wants to see if the Target brand paper towels will be stronger than the brown towels currently in the classroom.