Building Strong Bridges
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Have you ever wondered why bridges are built with triangles and squares? In this project, you'll find out why triangles are stronger than squares and how to build a bridge that can hold a lot of weight.
Hypothesis
The hypothesis is that if a bridge is built with triangle-shaped supports, then it will be stronger and hold more weight than a bridge built with square-shaped supports.
Method & Materials
You will make triangles and squares out of toothpicks and glue, then build two trusses with them. You will then connect the trusses to form a bridge and test how much weight it can hold.
You will need a box of flat toothpicks, craft glue, wood glue or Elmer's glue, cardboard, waxed paper, paper towels, a small bucket, and rock material such as gravel, pebbles, or sand.
Results
After testing the bridges, it was found that the bridge with triangle-shaped supports was able to hold more weight than the bridge with square-shaped supports. This shows that triangles are stronger than squares when it comes to distributing force.
Why do this project?
This science project is interesting because it shows how geometry can be used to build strong structures. It also shows how triangles are better than squares when it comes to distributing force.
Also Consider
Variations of this project could include testing different shapes, such as hexagons, or testing different materials, such as popsicle sticks.
Full project details
You can find additional information and details for this science fair project here. Have fun exploring!Related videos
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