Forces Acting on Bridges Bridging the Gap part

Forces Acting on Bridges

Bridging the Gap (part 1)

Bridging the Gap (part 1) • The shape of the bridge determines its strength. • Using paper and books students experiment with different bridge shapes. • Predict the number of pennies each bridge will hold.

Stress Test • London Bridge is Falling Down You Tube video • Students will work in groups with paper and books to further explore how shape affects the strength of a bridge

Building Big (part 1) • Forces that balance to keep a bridge standing (tension and compression) • Students will form circle and even number students will lean in to demonstrate tension. Then pairs of students will put their hands on each other’s shoulders and lean in to demonstrate compression • Building Big web site: http: //www. pbs. org/wgbh/buildingbig/bridge/

Building Big (part 2) • Forces that balance keep a bridge standing • Students will work in pairs to figure out a way to demonstrate tension and compression • Building Big web site: http: //www. pbs. org/wgbh/buildingbig/bridge/ • Students will answer selected questions on the Building Big Bridge Basics sheet (other questions will be answered as the unit continues)

The Force Be With You • Summative Assessment • Students will discuss with their elbow-partner what they have learned about what forces keep a bridge standing and how tension and compression work. • Students will complete the front page of The Force Be With You with their elbow-partner and the back page independently