In the Laboratory edited by
Cost-Effective Teacher
Harold H. Harris University of Missouri—St. Louis St. Louis, MO 63121
Weighing Paper Substitute Ben Ruekberg Department of Chemistry, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881;
[email protected] Students in laboratory can use large quantities of weighing paper. A suitable substitute may be found in patty paper sheets, the slips of paper used to separate hamburger patties. The use of these sheets can cut the cost of weighing paper by about seventy-five percent. Getting a sample of patty paper to test its suitability for yourself may be no more complicated than going to your school cafeteria or a local restaurant and requesting a few sheets. It may be possible to acquire patty paper for your needs through your school’s dining services. Otherwise, you can go to http://www.instantwares.com (accessed Jan 2005) and “search” under “patty paper”, which offers large quantities of
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Journal of Chemical Education
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various sizes of patty paper, such as Deli Patty Paper (512), which is 5.5 in. × 5.5 in. If smaller quantities are more appropriate to your needs, you may go to http:// www.framarx.com/geometrypack.html (accessed Jan 2005) for boxes of 1000 6 in. × 6 in. patty papers ($7.95) or http:// www.alliedkenco.com/packaging.htm (accessed Jan 2005) for boxes of 1000 5.25 in. × 5.25 in. patty papers ($9.95). Prudence suggests testing the suitability of these papers with the materials your students will be using, particularly the more reactive ones. The author wishes to thank the editor of the Cost-Effective Teacher column for valuable suggestions and information.
Vol. 82 No. 4 April 2005
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