UNIT #4, Structures & Forces
Science notes rubric:
Topic #1
The following concepts are important from the topic, make sure that you have them in your notes!
- What is a structure? and how are function and forces involved?
- What is a structures load
- How can structures be classified into natural and manufactured structures?
- What is a mass structure, what are their benefits and drawbacks?
- What is a frame structure, what are their benefits and drawbacks?
- What is a shell structure, what are their benefits and drawbacks?
- How can aspects of these different types of structures be combined for certain purposes?
Topic #2
The following concepts are important from the topic, make sure that you have them in your notes!
- What is a structures function?
- What is a structures aesthetics?
- How are structures design for safety, what is the margin of safety?
- What are composite materials and how are they used in structure construction?
- What are layered materials and how are they used in structure construction?
- What are woven or knit materials and how are they used in structure construction?
- How do you go about choosing the material for a structure construction?
- What are the different types of joints and how are they used?
- What are interlocking shapes and how are they used?
- What are ties and how are they used?
- What are adhesives and types of melting and how are they used in structure construction?
Topic #3
The following concepts are important from the topic, make sure that you have them in your notes!
- What is an objects mass and how does it work
- How did they first design the metric measuring system? How does the system work?
- How does a balance scale work?
- What is the difference between mass and weight?
- How do we measure force
- What is weight and how is force connected to weight?
- What is a force diagram and how does it work?
Topic #4
The following concepts are important from the topic, make sure that you have them in your notes!
- What are external forces, internal forces and deformations
- What is a dead load and what is a live load
- What are the four types of internal forces and how do they work?
Topic #5
The following concepts are important from the topic, make sure that you have them in your notes!
- What is a lever and how does it work?
- What are the three ways that materials fail and how do they occur?
- What is metal fatigue and how does it work?
Topic #6
The following concepts are important from the topic, make sure that you have them in your notes!
- What are the three key methods that designers use to help structures withstand forces?
- How can internal forces help strengthen structures?
- What is friction and how can frictional forces help designers building structures?
Topic #7
The following concepts are important from the topic, make sure that you have them in your notes!
- What is a structures stability and how can designers improve stability?
- How can designers use a structures center of gravity to help it's stability?
- How can engineers determine if structures are unbalanced and or unsafe?
- What is a structures foundations and what are the three strategies that builders use to create firm foundations?
- What are gyroscopes and how do they work
- What is spin stabilization and how does it work?