Discover the Secrets of Structures

Structures: Tension, Compression, and Form Follows Function

• Structures are everywhere, from bridges and buildings to natural objects like trees and even human hands.
• Tension and compression are the two forces that make structures work, with tension being the force that pulls and compression being the force that pushes.
• The shape of a structure depends on its function, and the strength of a structure depends on both its shape and the materials it is made of.
• Structures can come in almost any shape, and can be made from a variety of materials, such as rubber, mud, and bones.
• Engineers and scientists use math, physics, and materials science to design and build structures, such as the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge.
• Structures can be vulnerable to failure, but making them flexible can help them withstand stress from wind and earthquakes.
• Eggshells are strong structures because the weight is spread out over the entire surface.
• Human hands have parts in both tension and compression, with opposable thumbs being a unique feature.
• Trees are built to be flexible, which helps them withstand wind and other stresses.
• Insects and spiders have thin legs that are ideally suited for supporting their lightweight bodies, but they cannot exist at giant sizes because their legs would not be able to support their weight.
• Building models and practicing on them can help doctors and young surgeons develop skills for repairing broken bones in humans.
• The National Science Foundation produced the video series, which explores the science of structures and how they work.

Structures: Tension, Compression, and Form Follows Function

• Structures are everywhere, from bridges and buildings to natural objects like trees and even human hands.
• Tension and compression are the two forces that make structures work, with tension being the force that pulls and compression being the force that pushes.
• The shape of a structure depends on its function, and the strength of a structure depends on both its shape and the materials it is made of.
• Structures can come in almost any shape, and can be made from a variety of materials, such as rubber, mud, and bones.
• Engineers and scientists use math, physics, and materials science to design and build structures, such as the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge.
• Structures can be vulnerable to failure, but making them flexible can help them withstand stress from wind and earthquakes.
• Eggshells are strong structures because the weight is spread out over the entire surface.
• Human hands have parts in both tension and compression, with opposable thumbs being a unique feature.
• Trees are built to be flexible, which helps them withstand wind and other stresses.
• Insects and spiders have thin legs that are ideally suited for supporting their lightweight bodies, but they cannot exist at giant sizes because their legs would not be able to support their weight.
• Building models and practicing on them can help doctors and young surgeons develop skills for repairing broken bones in humans.
• The National Science Foundation produced the video series, which explores the science of structures and how they work.

Test your knowledge of structures with this quiz on tension, compression, and form follows function. From bridges to human hands, structures are all around us, and this quiz will challenge you to identify the forces that make them work, the materials they are made of, and the shapes that are best suited for their functions. Learn about how engineers and scientists use math, physics, and materials science to design structures, and discover the unique features that make some structures stronger than others. Whether you're an engineer,