The students used their knowledge of dynamics from the first semester of the class, to design the sturdiest bridge possible. However, beyond these stipulations, the number of toothpicks used and the design of the bridge were left entirely up to the students. To control more variables in the testing (such as different distribution of the weight), the bridges were restricted in size. The bridges had to be between 55-60 cm long, 15-20 cm wide, at least, 1 cm tall, and could not extend below the base of the bridge. This, again, was to prevent toothpicks from being bunched together in order to essentially form a log of toothpicks instead of a bridge. The toothpicks could not overlap farther than. Although the design was left open to the students, the bridges could not be painted. The bridges were meant to be made primarily of toothpicks, so adhesives such as rubber cement, which could structurally strengthen the bridge, were prohibited. They were also not allowed to use glue beyond the joints in excess, such as coating entire toothpicks to form bunches. The only adhesive allowed was glue, although the students could choose between Elmer’s, wood glue, etc. Even though these are all similar in shape and size, the structure of the toothpicks and even slight variations in thickness or shape can dramatically influence the strength of the bridge. Other types, such as square “sandwich” toothpicks, bamboo toothpicks, or shortened wooden dowels or skewers were prohibited. Only standard cocktail/grocery store toothpicks could be used. To ensure fairness in the competition, the groups had to follow certain size and material guidelines in order to be eligible for testing: The project took the shape of a competition, as groups of up to four juniors worked together to construct viable bridges out of standard wooden use-them-at-a-restaurant-to-dislodge-that-annoying-piece-of-ribs toothpicks. It seems unlikely, therefore, that a bridge built solely of toothpicks could support the weight, much less a load heavier than the average fourth grader.Ĭonstructing toothpick bridges were the regular Physics students’ extra credit project this December.
Hence the phrase “snap like a toothpick” means to effortlessly break something, such as when a frustrated slugger breaks a baseball bat over his knee. When thinking of the structural integrity of a toothpick, the first thing that comes to mind is their tendency to break easily.
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