Paper Towel Testing Name Block Date Paper Towel Testing Problems 1 Which brand

							Name____________________________                    Block________ Date_________

                             Paper Towel Testing

Problems:
   1.   Which brand of paper towel is the most absorbent?
   2.   Which brand of paper towel has the greatest wet strength?
   3.   Which brand of paper towel is the most cost effective?


Procedure:
1:   As a class we will agree on a definition for absorbency and wet strength so that
     we are all working on solving the same problem.
     Write the definitions below so that you can refer to them.
            Absorbency-

             Wet strength-


2:    You need to design and carry out two experiments, one testing absorbency and
      the other wet strength.
3:    In order to compare different group’s results we will be assigning a “Rank” to
      each brand after testing. You should give the brand that achieved the best
      average score a 4, the second best a 3, and the third best a 2, and the fourth
      best a 1.
4:    One member of your group should record your results on the class data sheet.

Grading Guidelines:
This project will be graded as described below.

      C=     Working with the team to complete the experiments and discussion
             questions on absorbency, wet strength, and cost. Write report.
      B=     Complete the work for a C and write a sales pitch for the brand
             You think is the best, in the form of a magazine ad or poster.
      A=     Complete work for a B and design a study to determine the
             effectiveness of paper towels verses sponges. The study must include
             relative costs, convenience, and the impact of each on the environment.
1. Cost Calculations
        Use mathematics and any necessary assumptions and rank the towels according
to the following.

   1.   Number of sheets in a roll
   2.   Length of sheet (cm)
   3.   Width of sheet (cm)
   4.   Area of sheet (cm^2)
   5.   Cost of roll
   6.   Cost of one sheet
   7.   Cost per cm^2

   Present your rankings along with your calculated values, which justify those
   rankings. Use a clearly labeled data table.

 Brand




      Write a paragraph that states which the best deal is and what the worst deal is.
   Explain how you decided this.
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Example
Brand        Cost of    #        Price/sheet Length    Width   Area     …..       ….
             roll       sheets
Viva         1.00       80       .0125       20        25      500      …         …
2. Absorbency
        Independent variables:

        Dependent variable:

        Replication:

        Factor other than brand that you will control:


        Hypothesis:

        In the space below describe and sketch the experimental set-up you will use to
        test the absorbency of the paper towels. After you receive teacher approval, you
        can proceed and perform your experiment, making sure you carefully record your
        data.




Teacher approval: ______________

                                 Absorbency
Brand                                                                       Average.       Rank
                   Trial 1            Trial 2            Trial 3
 A

 B

 C

 D
3. Strength
        Independent variables:

        Dependent variable:

        Replication:

        Factor other than brand that you will control:


        Hypothesis:

        In the space below describe and sketch the experimental set-up you will use to
        test the wet strength of the paper towels. After you receive teacher approval, you
        can proceed and perform your experiment, making sure you carefully record your
        data.




Teacher approval: ______________

                                 Strength
Brand                                                                        Average.        Rank
                    Trial 1            Trial 2            Trial 3
 A

 B

 C

 D
4. Conclusion – Now, what one brand of paper towel is the best?         Justify your
choice based on your total study.

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 Brand Ranks           Strength           Absorbency             Cost           Average




microscope drawings




Extra Credit: Calculate the above items and calculate the following items. Doing these
calculations in a spreadsheet will be the fastest and most accurate.
   1. Absorbency of a full sheet
   2. Absorbency per ply
   3. Wet strength per ply
   4. Cost effectiveness per ply
   5. Absorbency per square cm
   6. Absorbency per cent spent
   7. Wet strength per cent spent
   8. Absorbency per roll
   9. You invent #9