Introduction
The intent of this experiment is to practice the scientific method, by constructing a bridge to bolster as many pennies as possible before it sags 1 1/8”, touching the desk. I hope to get a better perception of the scientific method by doing an experiment. I also hope to gain knowledge about the way bridges are structured to hold more weight. Based on my research, I know that the thicker the bridge is, the more weight it will bolster. Knowing this I formed a hypothesis. My hypothesis is the more index cards that the bridge is made out of, the greater amount of pennies it will bolster.
Methods
Materials: • 6 pink erasers
• 3 index cards
• 50 pennies
• Double sided tape
First make 2 balanced bridge supports out of 3 erasers each.
Secondly put an index card
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Results
Data Table:
Number of index cards Number of pennies held Average Times 1 2 3
1 15 16 16 15 2/3
2 27 28 29 28
3 43 43 39 41 2/3
Observations:
Quantitative Qualitative
There were 2 bridge supports made out of 3 erasers each The erasers were rhombic prisms
The bridge supports were 3 1/8” apart The erasers were pink
The bridge supports were 1 1/8” high The bridge supports were balanced
The index cards were 3” by 5” The erasers were used
There were 3 bridges The bridges were index cards
The first bridge was 1 index card The second and third bridges had the index cards taped together
The second bridge was 2 index cards I put the pennies on the bridge in the same pattern
The third bridge was 3 index cards
The second bridge held about 12 more pennies than the first bridge
The third bridge held about 14 more pennies than the second bridge
When I added 1 more index card, it held on average, 13 more pennies