Engineering Activity
This lab required two partners to create a Fettuccine pasta structure that could support the most weight possible. Using twenty strands of dry Fettuccine, a meter stick, scissors, paper, 1 meter masking tape and a variety of weightful books, both partners accomplished a magnificent structure that will be explained in just a moment. Firstly, inspiration was achieved by a picture the teacher had provided on the front page of the ‘Fettuccine Build’ worksheet given to monitor student’s progress as they create their final structure. In more specific detail, the picture had portrayed an ‘x’ like format between its base. Although the partners didn’t use a full ‘x’, they made a beam supporting the weaker Fettuccine. They also started on the base first, doubling the pasta to make in more stronger and durable for the large amount of weight. Not only that, but they used small bits of tape to reinforce weak areas. However, there was a lot that both partners could have changed in order to create an even better structure than they did, for a future lab or event. Creating a low height for the structure would have been more durable and easier because it would have had more support for the skinny strands of pasta. Tall people weigh more than shorter people, same concept applies in this lab. Being more organized about what to do would have saved a lot of time and effort, rather than just ‘winging’ it. In other words, a more well-defined layout of the structure is what both partners should have done in the very beginning before completely emerging themselves in work. Not only that, but even with the ‘conserving as much tape as we can’ idea didn’t work so well for either partners at the end because the structure’s support was weak and there was A LOT of tape left over. Finally, the rectangular base the partners planned on making became a parallel structure- it ended up leaning on one side more than the other. Exact, and precise measurements would come in handy next time. Last but not least, the results of this structure where close to perfect, but then again it was still miles away from the finish line . . . . This structure surpassed the paper test, the light book test, yet completely demolished under the weight of the heavy book test.
This lab applies to Newton's 3rd law because there is an equal and opposite reaction for every action. For example, the weight of the paper, light book and heavy book exert a gravitational pull down to earth (it’s exerting a downward force); however, the normal force caused by the pasta structure is pushing up against that downward force (in an upward force). So, if the books weighs greater than the force exerted upwards against it, the weight of that object will crush anything below it. Yet, if the structure’s upwards force is greater than the weight being pushing down against it, that force will keeping going up, not destroying the structure.
If there was a moment given to improve on this construction, I would use it in a variety of ways. First, I would create a stronger base, and use a lot of tape this time to secure it. Not only that, but I would also create side edges, only this time I'm going to need diagonal beams securing each end. Finally, I would change the structure to make in more compact. However, I would make the width a little wider so the pressure spreads out evenly and I'll have to make sure that my structure isn't to tall as well.
This lab applies to Newton's 3rd law because there is an equal and opposite reaction for every action. For example, the weight of the paper, light book and heavy book exert a gravitational pull down to earth (it’s exerting a downward force); however, the normal force caused by the pasta structure is pushing up against that downward force (in an upward force). So, if the books weighs greater than the force exerted upwards against it, the weight of that object will crush anything below it. Yet, if the structure’s upwards force is greater than the weight being pushing down against it, that force will keeping going up, not destroying the structure.
If there was a moment given to improve on this construction, I would use it in a variety of ways. First, I would create a stronger base, and use a lot of tape this time to secure it. Not only that, but I would also create side edges, only this time I'm going to need diagonal beams securing each end. Finally, I would change the structure to make in more compact. However, I would make the width a little wider so the pressure spreads out evenly and I'll have to make sure that my structure isn't to tall as well.