Key Vocabulary
What is a structure?
Something with a definite size, shape, purpose, and can hold a load.
What is a force?
A push or a pull that causes objects to move, stop, change direction, or change shape.
What is a man-made structure?
A structure built by people
What is the strongest shape?
Triangles
What is a load?
The weight that a structure is designed to hold.
Tension is a force where something is _________.
What is a natural structure?
A structure found in nature
What might happen if a structure is not stable?
It can fall over.
What is stability?
The structures ability to stay balanced and keep its shape.
Compression is a force where something is _________.
Pushed or squeezed.
Give one example of a man-made structure.
Examples include a bridge, building, chair
What might happen if a structure is not strong?
It might break or collapse.
What is function?
The purpose of a structure.
Swinging on a rope is an example of __________.
Tension
Give one example of a natural structure.
Examples include a beehive, a beaver dam, a birds nest
If a structure falls but doesn't break, is that a strength or stability problem?
What is form?
The size, shape, materials, and parts of a structure.
Sitting on a couch is an example of __________.
Compression
How are natural and man-made structures similar?
Both are built to support, protect, or hold something
What is more important: strength or stability?
Both! A structure needs to not break and not fall