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This Bridge Types: Tensile and Compressive Forces activity also includes:
- Bridge Notes Worksheet (PDF)
- Bridge Notes Worksheet (Doc)
- Bridge Notes Worksheet Answers (PDF)
- Bridge Notes Worksheet Answers (Doc)
- Bridge Types and Forces Worksheet (PDF)
- Bridge Types and Forces Worksheet (Doc)
- Bridge Types and Forces Worksheet Answers (PDF)
- Bridge Types and Forces Worksheet Answer (Doc)
- Vocabulary
- Graphic & Image
- Join to access all included materials
Bridges rely on tension and compression to keep them standing. Pairs test this principle by constructing simple bridges and applying a force to the center. Teams use the provided activity to record their observations of the reaction of the bridge materials before labeling the types of forces encountered at specific points.
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Concepts
Instructional Ideas
- Find a video that highlights the forces on a bridge to use to reinforce the concepts learned in the activity
- Consider giving groups the materials and have them determine how to build each bridge instead of following the directions
Classroom Considerations
- Requires several different mediums to build model bridges
- The second of a 10-part series on bridges
Pros
- Contains a notes page in order to help individuals organize their thoughts
- The resource has a description of the major types of bridges that pupils test in the activity
Cons
- The Bridge Types & Forces Worksheet Answers document has an incorrect answer for question four; the top and bottom of the beam designations are reversed