AP Physics Experiment - Tower/Bridge/Boat - 3 in 1

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around three separate physics experiments involving the construction of a paper/tape tower, a paper/toothpick bridge, and a paper/wood boat. The original poster expresses difficulty in crafting and generating ideas for these projects, seeking guidance on building techniques and design considerations.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss various design approaches for the tower, including triangular and camera stand-like bases. There are attempts to create prototypes, with reflections on their successes and failures. Questions arise about the next steps in building the tower and the specifics of constructing the bridge, including inquiries about material strength and project restrictions.

Discussion Status

Some participants have shared their experiences with different tower designs and are seeking further guidance on the bridge construction. There is an ongoing exploration of ideas, and while some progress has been made, explicit consensus or resolution has not been reached.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention the importance of adhering to project rubrics and express uncertainty regarding specific restrictions for the bridge project. There is also a query about measuring weight without a scale, indicating potential constraints in resources.

vom53
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Homework Statement


I am having trouble building and coming up with ideas for my projects.
3 separate experiments:
1. Paper/Tape Tower
2. Paper/Toothpick Bridge
3. Paper/Wood Boat

I have been criticized for my horrible crafting/building/drawing skills. If possible, please explain in steps and possibly provide some pictures. Thank you.

Note: Rubrics for each project are in the attachments.

Homework Equations


Concepts do applied, but no equations are necessary.

The Attempt at a Solution


My research online includes:
Code: 
[PLAIN]http://www.learner.org/catalog/resources/activities/sact9806/sact9806-2.html"[/PLAIN] 
[URL]http://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:o7u59tuNDgoJ:education.sdsc.edu/download/enrich/bridges.pdf+physics+bridge+experiment+tricks&hl=en&gl=us&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEESi_jk8q1PM0WjzW5m1nn0Hc0OaOXCZjg_kuahLhmVBL-EM1tHjNCUEH_bXun0DLWWrkFgpbw324NZnLQD_xd4ROwto2fwp7OGk-ByiJiV30VivydpIHs8jw1VQftKl85kjkukyd&sig=AHIEtbRYCN-gIEV4jcBtyWVBo0eN5iuV_g&pli=1"[/URL]
[URL]http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20100514081407AAFW0JI"[/URL]
[URL]http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20100116101346AAWhOoZ"[/URL]
[PLAIN]http://mrlewisclassroom.tripod.com/project1.htm"[/PLAIN] 
[PLAIN]http://www.pisymphony.com/toothpick/toothpick1.htm"[/PLAIN] 
[PLAIN]http://www.gravitykills.net/PhysicsOlympics/Bridge.htm"[/PLAIN]

For the Tower, I was thinking about a triangular base to support long strips going upwards.
For the Bridge, I was thinking of making a X pattern to support the weight.
For the Boat, I was thinking of using a shape similar to one of those Southern Vietnamese rafts.
 

Attachments

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vom53 said:

Homework Statement


I am having trouble building and coming up with ideas for my projects.
3 separate experiments:
1. Paper/Tape Tower
2. Paper/Toothpick Bridge
3. Paper/Wood Boat

I have been criticized for my horrible crafting/building/drawing skills. If possible, please explain in steps and possibly provide some pictures. Thank you.

Note: Rubrics for each project are in the attachments.

Homework Equations


Concepts do applied, but no equations are necessary.

The Attempt at a Solution


My research online includes:
Code: 
[PLAIN]http://www.learner.org/catalog/resources/activities/sact9806/sact9806-2.html"[/PLAIN] 
[URL]http://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:o7u59tuNDgoJ:education.sdsc.edu/download/enrich/bridges.pdf+physics+bridge+experiment+tricks&hl=en&gl=us&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEESi_jk8q1PM0WjzW5m1nn0Hc0OaOXCZjg_kuahLhmVBL-EM1tHjNCUEH_bXun0DLWWrkFgpbw324NZnLQD_xd4ROwto2fwp7OGk-ByiJiV30VivydpIHs8jw1VQftKl85kjkukyd&sig=AHIEtbRYCN-gIEV4jcBtyWVBo0eN5iuV_g&pli=1"[/URL]
[URL]http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20100514081407AAFW0JI"[/URL]
[URL]http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20100116101346AAWhOoZ"[/URL]
[PLAIN]http://mrlewisclassroom.tripod.com/project1.htm"[/PLAIN] 
[PLAIN]http://www.pisymphony.com/toothpick/toothpick1.htm"[/PLAIN] 
[PLAIN]http://www.gravitykills.net/PhysicsOlympics/Bridge.htm"[/PLAIN]

For the Tower, I was thinking about a triangular base to support long strips going upwards.
For the Bridge, I was thinking of making a X pattern to support the weight.
For the Boat, I was thinking of using a shape similar to one of those Southern Vietnamese rafts.

Welcome to the PF.

Let's take them one at a time. What makes a good tower? That's an exercise that I'm familiar with from a team building exercise that I help with a couple times a year.
 
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Sorry about the late reply.
There was a log-in problem. I tried different computers and reseting the internet and finally was able to log in.

Mr. Berkeman, thank you for helping me with this experiment.
Let's start.

For the tower, the base is the most important.
I tried setting a triangular base as Prototype 1 and then a base like those you seen in those camera stands as Prototype 2.
Both prototype were unsuccessful, but the good base makes a good tower.

What is the next step, Mr. Berkeman?
 
vom53 said:
Sorry about the late reply.
There was a log-in problem. I tried different computers and reseting the internet and finally was able to log in.

Mr. Berkeman, thank you for helping me with this experiment.
Let's start.

For the tower, the base is the most important.
I tried setting a triangular base as Prototype 1 and then a base like those you seen in those camera stands as Prototype 2.
Both prototype were unsuccessful, but the good base makes a good tower.

What is the next step, Mr. Berkeman?

How do you propose building the rest of the tower?
 
I tried two methods:

The first method was building tubes and connect it on top of each other onto the base.

The second method was established using the base and have three pillars and then another base and then three pillars and then finally one big pillar on top.
 
berkeman said:
How do you propose building the rest of the tower?

berkeman, I figured out how to do the tower and the boat.

However, I need your guidance on the bridge.
I plan to build a Truss bridge (the standard) one.

I review the restrictions and also ask my teacher, but still am unsure about the restrictions.

berkeman, may you please explain the restrictions of the bridge for me? (The rubric is in my first post)

Also which is stronger: US wood toothpick or bamboo toothpick (China)...
 
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berkeman said:
How do you propose building the rest of the tower?
How can I measure grams without a scale?
 
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