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Material Properties Investigation

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Material Properties Investigation

Aotearoa New Zealand is reducing single-use packaging. Your team will compare how much different packaging materials stretch under a load, then decide which material may suit a reusable produce bag. Use the supplied results for the analysis questions. If you carry out the practical, follow your teacher’s safety instructions and record your own results separately.

Plan a fair test

Investigation question: How does packaging material affect extension under the same applied load? In a practical test, cut strips to the same length and width, clamp each strip securely, add the same load for the same time, and measure extension from its starting length. Use at least three repeats per material and calculate a mean. Do not overload the clamp; keep feet clear of hanging masses and use a tray to catch them.

1.In this investigation, identify the independent variable and the dependent variable. State the unit you would use for the dependent variable.

2.Name two variables that should be controlled to make the material comparison fair, and explain how to control each one.

3.The method uses three repeats for each material. What is the main scientific reason for repeating measurements?

To make the material stretch more
To identify unusual results and improve the reliability of the mean
To change the independent variable during a trial
To avoid measuring the extension

Results from a trial

A class used strips with the same starting dimensions and applied a 500 g load for 30 seconds. Extension was measured in millimetres. The table shows three trials for each material.

Material

Trial 1

Trial 2

Trial 3

Paper

Thin card

Plastic film

Woven fabric

4.Calculate the mean extension for paper and for plastic film. Show your calculations and give each answer to one decimal place.

5.Which material had the greatest mean extension, and which had the least? Use the results to support your answer.

6.Which material’s results varied most between trials? Calculate its range (highest result minus lowest result).

7.A student says, “Plastic film is the strongest material because it stretched the most.” Is this conclusion justified by these results? Explain what the measurements do and do not show.

8.The woven-fabric measurements are 12 mm, 15 mm and 13 mm. Give one plausible reason for the variation and one practical change that could reduce it.

9.For a reusable produce bag, a material should bend easily but not stretch excessively when loaded. Which of the tested materials looks like the most promising starting point? Justify your choice using the results, and name one other property that should be tested before making a final decision.

10.Write a concise conclusion answering the investigation question. Include the material with the greatest extension, the material with the least extension, and one limitation of the investigation.