Summary
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Abstract
Using just a single sheet of paper (8.5 x 11 inches) and up to five paper clips, can you build a bridge that will span 20 cm and support the weight of 100 pennies? The area beneath the span must be free (so that boats can pass beneath it). To test your bridge, place two books 20 cm apart, and set the bridge on the books, spanning the gap. Do not fasten the bridge to the book (nor to any other support). Does your bridge hold as much weight as you expected it would? If your bridge fails during testing, describe where and how it failed. As you're building or testing your bridge, you will probably get ideas for ways to improve your design. Try them out! When loading the bridge with pennies, does it matter if you spread them out evenly or put them all in the center? Why or why not? (WGBH Staff, 2000)Bibliography
WGBH Staff, 2000. "Building Big Educator's Guide, Activity: Paper Bridge" Educational Print and Outreach Department, WGBH Educational Foundation [accessed May 26, 2006] http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/buildingbig/educator/act_paper_ei.html.
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Cite This Page
General citation information is provided here. Be sure to check the formatting, including capitalization, for the method you are using and update your citation, as needed.MLA Style
Science Buddies Staff.
"Paper Bridge for Pennies." Science Buddies,
25 Jan. 2022,
https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project-ideas/CE_p018/civil-engineering/paper-bridge-for-pennies.
Accessed 30 May 2023.
APA Style
Science Buddies Staff.
(2022, January 25).
Paper Bridge for Pennies.
Retrieved from
https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project-ideas/CE_p018/civil-engineering/paper-bridge-for-pennies
Last edit date: 2022-01-25
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