Analyze This: How Many Licks Does It Really Take To Get To The Tootsie Roll Center Of A Tootsie Pop?
The ClubHouse: The Game II - Mysterious Puzzler: Discussions/Challenges:
Analyze This: How Many Licks Does It Really Take To Get To The Tootsie Roll Center Of A Tootsie Pop?
Guruchaz | Wednesday, January 24, 2001 - 01:21 pm  Sure, it takes only 3 in the commercial but is that realistic? I believe multiple theories may exist, but I'll start with one: The Enzyme Theory Saliva contains digestive enzymes that comes into contact with the Tootsie Pop exterior, which is primarily made of sugar. This contact accellerates the breakdown of organic molecules. Depending on the length of time it is exposed and the strength of enzymic activity of the individual, a tongue that is sufficiently abrasive coupled with the salivary fluid can make relatively short work of a formidable Tootsie Pop. This theory prompted an experiment. Given a period of 3-4 minutes, averaging 10-15 moist licks per minute at a mouth temperature of 98.6 degrees, a Tootsie Pop theoretically can be dispatched in an average of 61 licks or 248 seconds. (I'm sure everyone would look forward to additional theories.) |
Elitist | Thursday, January 25, 2001 - 08:32 am  I would have answered earlier, but I thought experimental evidence was needed to support your theory. Using a bag of 64 standard Tootsie Pops, we ran experiments using 4 subjects with tongue lengths varying from 2 to 5 inches. Each subject was given 16 suckers and a 16 oz glass of water to ensure oral cavity moistness. They were instructed to lick, not bite, the Tootsie Pop at their leisure. Results from 8 pops had to be discarded due to premature mastication. Of the remaining 56 pops we obtained the following results:
Licks | | Time | Average | Std | Average | Std | 74 | 8 | 341 | 20 | ------Licks-----------Time Average---Std---Average---Std ---74------8------341------20 It is obvious the theory must be revised to explain these results. We believe that the theory has not taken into account the flavor of the Tootsie Pop or the length of the tongue. Experimentation shows these variables have a definite effect on the outcome. |
Elitist | Thursday, January 25, 2001 - 08:39 am  Here is the Data again - my first table
Licks | | Time | | Average | Std | Average | Std | 74 | 8 | 341 | 20 |
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Misslibra | Friday, January 26, 2001 - 11:09 pm  We should of known Elitist would have the answer to this ... LOL |
Guruchaz | Friday, January 26, 2001 - 11:12 pm  Yep. Chemists and their charts.  |
Juju2bigdog | Saturday, January 27, 2001 - 06:17 am  Another of life's mysteries solved. You are good, Elite. And dedicated.
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