{"id":1137,"date":"2022-10-06T14:42:26","date_gmt":"2022-10-06T11:42:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.edu.turku.fi\/scienceed\/?p=1137"},"modified":"2022-10-06T14:42:26","modified_gmt":"2022-10-06T11:42:26","slug":"how-strong-is-a-piece-of-paper","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.edu.turku.fi\/scienceed\/2022\/10\/06\/how-strong-is-a-piece-of-paper\/","title":{"rendered":"How strong is a piece of paper?"},"content":{"rendered":"

We are going to test the strength of paper, folded in differently \u00a0shaped columns, by piling books on top. This is very similar to how columns are used to support buildings and other structures.<\/p>\n

\"\"Triangle, square and circle. Which paper\u00a0is the strongest?<\/p>\n

The Science Behind It<\/h2>\n

The cylinder can support the most books because\u00a0it\u2019s\u00a0walls don\u2019t have any edges. The force of the books cannot become concentrated in a particular area. The load is distributed evenly. In other words, all parts of the cylinder are sharing the load of the books. \u00a0All parts of the cylinder, therefore, contribute to it\u2019s overall strength until, finally, it collapses.<\/p>\n

The\u00a0square and triangle deform more easily. \u00a0They\u00a0shift the weight of the books to their edges and corners, which deforms their walls and leads to a\u00a0quick\u00a0collapse. \u00a0They are unable to carry weight only at their\u00a0edges.<\/p>\n

Have you noticed\u00a0columns in buildings and other structures<\/strong>, like parking garages? What shape are the columns? Are they on the inside\u00a0of the building\/structure to serve their practical purpose of supporting beams or arches? Or are they exterior columns which lend support but also beauty to the structure?<\/p>\n

Early architects in several ancient\u00a0civilizations used columns in architecture including the ancient Egyptians, Persians, Greeks and Romans.<\/p>\n

Challenge Instructions<\/h2>\n