FITB: A beam bridge is supported by a column on ______________ end.
each
What does the experiment teach about about real-life bridge contruction?
It shows that design, shape, and material strength are all important for building safe, strong bridges.
T/F: Arch bridges are supported by a shape that looks like a semicircle.
True
What are the three major types of bridges mentioned in the passage?
Beam bridge, arch bridge, and suspension bridge.
How did adding an arch beneath the bridge help support more weight?
The arch provided extra support from below, making the bridge stronger.
FITB: A ___________ bridge hangs from steel cables across towers.
suspension
FITB: The students used __________ to test the strength of their paper bridges.
pasta
FITB: The __________ bridge was able to hold the most pasta.
accordion-style
How many pieces of pasta did the folded paper bridge hold?
58
15
20
3
T/F: The accordion-style bridge held 58 piece of pasta without collapsing.
True
Why did the students place the shoeboxes six inches apart?
To create a gap that the paper bridge could span between, like a mini version of a real bridge.
How did folding the paper help make the bridge stronger?
It made the paper thicker and more supportive, which helped it hold more weight.
What does it mean when Diego said the paper tube "became distorted"?
It means the shape of the tube changed or bent out of place under the weight.
What type of bridge can span the longest distance?
Beam bridge
Arch bridge
Suspension bridge
Paper bridge
What happened when the pasta was spaced out on the bridge?
The bridge held more weight and didn't collapse as quickly because the weight was more evenly spread.
What allows a suspension bridge to span such long distances?
Steel cables draped over towers and anchored in concrete help support the road and allow for long spans.
What is the difference between a dead load and a live load?
A dead load is the weight of the materials used to build something, while a live load is the temporary weight the structure holds, like cars or people.
Why couldn't the students stack more than 58 piece of pasta on the final bridge?
The bridge was still strong, but the pasta became too hard to balance and stack neatly.
T/F: Folding the paper made the bridge weaker.
False
FITB: The students placed two _____________ six inches apart as supports.
shoeboxes
How is a arch bridge supported?
It is supported by material spaced like a semicircle beneath it.
What was a key difference between the first and second bridges?
One spaced out the pasta
One used thicker paper
One used tape
One was longer
What materials did the student use to build their bridges?
Copy paper, shoeboxes, pasta, paper clips.
Why do you think the teacher praised the students at the end?
Because they showed creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving while experimenting with their bridge designs.
Why are cars considered a live load for a bridge?
Because cars are not a permanent part of the bridge - they come and go - so their weight is temporary.
Why did the accordion-style bridge hold the most pasta?
Because the folds made it very strong and stable, and it didn't lose its shape even under a lot of weight.
Why is a beam bridge considered weaker than other types?
Because it is just a flat surface supported on each end and can't span very long distances.
Why did the copy paper bridge collapse after only three pieces of pasta?
Because the flat paper wasn;t strong enough to support much weight without reinforcement.
Which bridge design was the weakest, and why?
The flat paper bridge was the weakest because it could only hold three pieces of pasta before collapsing.
What did the students use to fasten the rolled paper tube?
Rubber bands
Paper clips
Glue
Tape
Why did the first paper bridge collapse?
The paper was too short
The paper was folded too many times
The pasta was too heavy
The pasta wasn't spaced out
Why did Ms. Darr say that spreading out the pasta would "limit your variables"?
Because by changing only one factor at a time, they could better understand what affected the bridge's strength.
How did the students improve their designs through trial and error?
They kept testing different shapes and structures and learned from each failure to make the next bridge stronger.
T/F: A live load is a permanent part of a structure.
False.
T/F: The paper tube bridge collapsed after 20 piece of pasta.
False.
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