tensile strength

Question 1

method

Answer 1

1] The plant material should be left to soak in a bucket of water for about a week in order for the fibres to be easily extracted (retting).
2]Once the fibres have been removed, connect them between 2 clamp stands and gradually add mass in the middle until the fibre snaps. Note the mass required to snap the fibre.
3]Repeat with fibres from different plants.

Question 2

results

Answer 2

-different species of plants have different tensile strengths of their fibres. This is related to the plants ecological niche and how the plant has adapted to it.
-more fibres bundled together results in greater strength, requiring a greater mass to snap.

Question 3

evaluation

Answer 3

variation within fibres- do lots of repeats. Also pick plants from roughly same age and location for validity

Question 4

control

Answer 4

Length of fibre – each fibre should be roughly the same length for a fair comparison
Size of each individual mass – a set of the same weights can be used

Question 5

dependent

Answer 5

The amount of mass that can be added before the fibre snaps

Question 6

Independent

Answer 6

The type of fibre used (from different plants)