Summary
Phil builds a bridge out of dry pasta, then a huge version, to learn how a structure holds a load without collapsing. A great look at how forces travel through a strong shape. ~22 min, free on the official Science Max YouTube channel.
Viewer safety
All ages
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Teaching resources
Discussion questions
Discussion
Can spaghetti hold up real weight? Phil engineers a pasta bridge to find out.
- What makes a bridge strong instead of weak?
- Which shapes did Phil use to hold up the weight?
- What happens to the forces when too much load is added?
- If you built a bridge, what shape would you use and why?
Quick work-a-long
Vocabulary: bridge, structure, load, force, triangle.
Try it: Build a small bridge from straws or pasta between two books. Add coins one at a time and record how many it held.