| Name: ______________________________ | Date: ______________ |
Instructions
- Investigate which Christmas wrapping material is strongest, stretches most, and lasts longest.
- Use the same size piece of each material and add one small weight at a time.
- Record your results carefully and use complete sentences for your conclusions.
Example: A strip was 20 cm long before testing and 24 cm long afterward. How many centimetres did it stretch?
Answer: 24 - 20 = 4 cm
Part 1: Wrapping Words
Complete each sentence with the best science word.
1. The ability of a material to become longer when pulled is called __________.
2. A material that resists ripping has good __________.
3. If a material keeps working without tearing, it is __________.
4. A very thin, shiny material often used for wrapping is __________.
Part 2: Predict the Test
Choose the answer that best predicts what may happen.
5. Which material is most likely to hold the greatest weight before tearing?
| ○ A. Thin paper | ○ B. Thick paper |
| ○ C. A tiny scrap of paper | ○ D. A loose thread |
6. What should stay the same to make the test fair?
| ○ A. The size of each strip | ○ B. The color of each strip |
| ○ C. The name of each material | ○ D. The Christmas design |
7. Which measurement shows how much a strip has stretched?
| ○ A. Final length minus starting length | ○ B. Starting length plus final length |
| ○ C. Final length divided by zero | ○ D. Number of colors on the strip |
8. What is the safest way to add weight?
| ○ A. Add one small weight at a time | ○ B. Drop all the weights at once |
| ○ C. Pull the strip as hard as possible | ○ D. Use a sharp object |
Part 3: Record the Results
Test equal strips and complete the empty cells with your measurements and observations.
| Material | Starting length (cm) | Final length (cm) | Weight held (g) | What happened? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sample foil | 20 | 22 | 40 | Bent but did not tear |
| Foil | ||||
| Thin paper | ||||
| Thick paper | ||||
| Your chosen wrapping paper |
Part 4: Measure the Stretch
Solve each problem and include the correct unit.
10. A foil strip was 20 cm long and became 24 cm long. How many centimetres did it stretch? Answer: __________ cm |
11. A thin paper strip stretched from 20 cm to 23 cm. How many centimetres did it stretch? Answer: __________ cm |
12. A thick paper strip held 60 g. A foil strip held 40 g. How many more grams did the thick paper hold? Answer: __________ g |
13. Three strips each held 10 g before tearing. How many grams did they hold altogether? Answer: __________ g |
Part 5: Check the Science
Write True or False for each statement.
14. A fair test changes only one factor at a time. True / False
15. The material that stretches the most is always the strongest. True / False
16. Using equal-sized strips makes comparisons more reliable. True / False
17. A material can be durable even if it does not stretch much. True / False
Part 6: Write the Conclusion (optional challenge)
Answer in complete sentences using evidence from the test.
18. Which material was strongest in the sample results, and what evidence supports your answer? |
19. Which material stretched the most in the sample results? |
20. Why might a person choose thick paper instead of foil for wrapping a heavy present? |
21. Suggest one improvement for making this experiment more reliable. |
Answer Key
| 1. | stretch |
| 2. | strength |
| 3. | durable |
| 4. | foil |
| 5. | B (Thick paper) |
| 6. | A (The size of each strip) |
| 7. | A (Final length minus starting length) |
| 8. | A (Add one small weight at a time) |
| 9a. | Foil · 20 · 24 · 40 · Stretched and then tore |
| 9b. | Thin paper · 20 · 23 · 30 · Tore at the edge |
| 9c. | Thick paper · 20 · 21 · 60 · Bent but did not tear |
| 9d. | Your chosen wrapping paper · 20 · 22 · 50 · Stretched slightly and tore |
| 10. | 4 cm |
| 11. | 3 cm |
| 12. | 20 g |
| 13. | 30 g |
| 14. | True |
| 15. | False |
| 16. | True |
| 17. | True |
| 18. | Thick paper was strongest because it held 60 g without tearing, more than the other materials. |
| 19. | Foil stretched the most because it increased from 20 cm to 24 cm, a stretch of 4 cm. |
| 20. | Thick paper may be a better choice because it held more weight and tore less easily. |
| 21. | Repeat each test several times and calculate an average result. |