Designing a Strong Book Stand Using Straws and Tape

  • Context: High School 
  • Thread starter Thread starter keropi080
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Book
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around designing a book stand using only straws and tape, specifically aimed at supporting a hardbound physics book weighing 2.5kg for more than a minute. Participants explore various structural designs and materials constraints.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests building a rectangular tower to hold the book, noting that the definition of 'bookstand' is not clearly defined.
  • Another participant inquires about the dimensions of the straws and proposes forming a truss structure using small bundles of straws for added strength.
  • A participant clarifies that the straws are around 10 inches long and flimsy, indicating a need for alternative plans if the tower design fails.
  • A link to a simulation game is shared, which some participants find enjoyable.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants have not reached a consensus on the best design approach, and multiple ideas are being explored without resolution.

Contextual Notes

The discussion does not address specific engineering principles or calculations that may be relevant to the design's stability and strength.

keropi080
Messages
9
Reaction score
0
I'm working on a little project here.

I'm supposed to build a bookstand made out of around 50 straws and tape. They're the only materials I'm allowed to use.It's supposed to be able to hold my hardbound physics book, which is 2.5kg, for more than a minute.

The higher the book is from the ground, the better.I've thought about just building a rectangular tower and placing the book at the top. They didn't really define what they mean by 'bookstand'.

Any other ideas or tips? :)
 
Physics news on Phys.org
How thin and long are the straws? Try to form some kind of truss, using small straw bundles.
 
The straws are around 10 inches, and flimsy. They're not the bendy kind, though.

That's what I was thinking from the start. Though I need another plan in case the tower thing doesn't work.
 
http://www.1888freeonlinegames.com/submitgames_play.php?id=2091

Have fun!
 
Last edited by a moderator:
That was a pretty nice simulation. :D
 

Similar threads

Make 2 launchers that shoot a straw with clay at the end
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
High School Paper Towers - Any Known Record, we got 194 cm
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
5K
High School Egg Drop project tips
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
5K
Can You Protect an Egg from a 40 ft Drop Using Only Straws and Rubber Bands?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
15K
Designing an experiment w/ a wind tunnel
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
7K
Kerbal Space Program - Rocket Design Basics
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
11K
Earthing & Lightening Protection for a Home on a Mountain Top
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
10K
Schools Remarks on AP courses in high school
  • · Replies 110 ·
4
Replies
110
Views
25K
Graduate I need a someone to explain something to me
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Can Evolved State: Dichotomy Capture Your Imagination?
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
4K