Naked Science Forum

General Science => General Science => Topic started by: Angela Fraser on 24/10/2011 16:01:02

Title: How can we quantify fluffiness?
Post by: Angela Fraser on 24/10/2011 16:01:02

Angela Fraser  asked the Naked Scientists:
   
Is fluffiness something that can be defined and measured? We say something is fluffy and that things are fluffier than other things? But other than resorting to referring to softness or density of fur on an animal etc. can we express this specifically?

What do you think?

Title: How can we quantify fluffiness?
Post by: Geezer on 24/10/2011 19:20:00

Isn't fluffiness usually measured in bunnykins?  (sorry  [;D])

(This sounds like one for Sheepy.)

Title: How can we quantify fluffiness?
Post by: Airthumbs on 24/10/2011 22:21:07

Angela, it seems you have stumbled accross an area that is in need of definition.  Maybe you should create some kind of scale of fluffiness...  [;D]

Some things that are fluffy; clouds, animals, bellybutton fluff, pancakes, bread!

Title: How can we quantify fluffiness?
Post by: Geezer on 24/10/2011 22:40:39

I suppose we could use some sort of thermal insulation measurement, because that is why a lot of the fluffiness exists in nature, but I still prefer units of bunnykins.

(I wonder if SI would go for it?)

Title: How can we quantify fluffiness?
Post by: Airthumbs on 24/10/2011 23:51:51

Quote from: Geezer on 24/10/2011 22:40:39

I suppose we could use some sort of thermal insulation measurement, because that is why a lot of the fluffiness exists in nature, but I still prefer units of bunnykins.

Would a bunny be one unit of bunnykin....  [;)]

Title: How can we quantify fluffiness?
Post by: MikeS on 25/10/2011 08:34:13

I wonder if there's a planck fluffiness?  Its got to be a lot smaller than a bunnykins.

Title: How can we quantify fluffiness?
Post by: Don_1 on 25/10/2011 10:17:02

Oh please, PLEASE, all of you, try to be serious!

EH! WHAT! Is that me urging others to be serious?!?!?!

Something has gone seriously wrong here.

Sadly, the man who perhaps could have answered your question, is no longer with us. I refer, of course to Alan Freeman (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Freeman).

Perhaps a fluffometer would be a device to measure the volume of air trapped within the fabric of the fluff. Fill an air tight container (of a known volume) with the fluff to be defined, so that it touches, but is not compressed by, the bottom, sides and lid. Use a vacuum pump to remove the air and measure the volume of air extracted from the container.

The equation would be:
Known volume of air in the empty container (S) minus extracted volume of air (E) equals fluffiness (F).

Just a minute....... Would a Tog Rating (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tog_(unit)) do much the same thing?

If you'll excuse me, my brain hurts. I must go lay down in darkened room for a while. (https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.freesmileys.org%2Fsmileys%2Fsmiley-sick014.gif&hash=96268837d03347ff7438bb79f964487f) (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys.php)

Title: How can we quantify fluffiness?
Post by: imatfaal on 25/10/2011 11:47:22

Will the kidnappers release the real Don and stop pretending to be him, it's fooling no one!

Title: How can we quantify fluffiness?
Post by: CliffordK on 25/10/2011 18:36:04

If you are thinking about pillows.
There would be a couple of important quantities that could be measured.

Density.
Compressibility.

Title: How can we quantify fluffiness?
Post by: ajobniloy22 on 02/11/2011 16:28:54

But other than resorting to referring to softness or density of fur on an animal etc. can we express this specifically?


spam-be-gone!

Title: How can we quantify fluffiness?
Post by: Don_1 on 02/11/2011 16:34:17

The question was about fluffiness, not spam.

Title: How can we quantify fluffiness?
Post by: neilep on 02/11/2011 17:31:21

Quote from: Geezer on 24/10/2011 19:20:00

Isn't fluffiness usually measured in bunnykins?  (sorry  [;D])

(This sounds like one for Sheepy.)

Angelic bunnies are not as fluffy as my fluffy bum !!

 [ Invalid Attachment ]