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

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around three physics experiments: a paper/tape tower, a paper/toothpick bridge, and a paper/wood boat. The user seeks guidance on crafting these projects due to previous criticism of their building skills. For the tower, a triangular base is suggested as a strong foundation, while the bridge design involves a truss structure for stability. The user also inquires about the strength comparison between US and Chinese toothpicks and how to measure weight without a scale. Clear steps and visual aids are requested to aid in the construction of these projects.
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.
 

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Last edited by a moderator:
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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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