Soapy Stress

View Resource

Read the Fine Print

Author:

Denise Carlson, Jacquelyn Sullivan, Malinda Schaefer Zarske, Megan Podlogar

Subject:

Mathematics and Statistics, Science and Technology

Institution Name:

University of Colorado at Boulder

Collection:

TeachEngineering

Grade Level:

Secondary

Abstract:

To experience the three types of material stress related to rocks tensional, compressional and shear students break bars of soap using only their hands. They apply force created by the muscles in their own hands to put pressure on the soap, a model for the larger scale, real-world phenomena that forms, shapes and moves the rocks of our planet. They also learn the real-life implications of understanding stress in rocks, both for predicting natural hazards and building safe structures.

Languages:

English

Material Type:

Activities and Labs, Lesson Plans

Media Format:

Graphics/Photos, Text/HTML

Conditions of Use:

Read the fine print
Resources may be used on a nonprofit, non-commercial basis by educators, without any fee or cost to access, link to and use, or in any manner alter, revise, copy, edit, translate or digitize.

Copyright Holder:

College of Engineering, University of Colorado at Boulder