Tensile Strength of Plant Fibres

Question 1

Independent variable.

Answer 1

source and type of plant fibre

Question 2

Dependent vaiable

Answer 2

mass that can be held

Question 3

Other variables to be controlled.

Answer 3

• length of fibre

- size of each individual mass

Question 4

Equipment

Answer 4

• plant stem eg, celery
• buckets
• gloves
• paper towels
• clamp stand
• slotted masses and holders
• white tile
• sharp knife

Question 5

Method

Answer 5

1. Plant material soaks in a bucket for 1 week so retting (extraction of fibres) is easy
2. once removed fibres should be places between two clamp stands and masses should gradually be added onto the middle of the fire until it snaps
3. record data and perform repeats

Question 6

Evaluation issues.

Answer 6

• maintaining length of fibres
• using fibres of the same age
• extracting whole fibres