Question

Write an activity to show that synthetic fibres are stronger than the cotton fibres.

Answer 1

Activity: Take threads of cotton and nylon (synthetic fibres) of about the same length and thickness. Hang cotton, thread from a stand. Attach a pan at the other end of the thread.

Add weights, one by one, to the pan until the thread breaks (see figure) note the total weight required to break the cotton thread. This gives a measure of the tensile strength of the thread. Repeat the same with nylon thread.

Arrangement to determine the relatives strengths of natural fibres and synthetic fibres.

Conclusion

Much more weight is required to break the nylon thread showing that nylon thread has greater strength than the cotton thread.