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Build a Chair STEM Challenge
A single chair can be used by different people whose body shapes and sizes may differ. To withstand different loads, chairs are designed to distribute the pressure caused by the body sitting on them. If the pressure of the body is not distributed properly on a chair, it can cause discomfort while sitting.
Try it: You might encounter different sitting furniture at your home such as a chair, sofa, recliner, bed, desk chair, etc. Sit and observe which type of furniture is best for pressure distribution.
Table of Contents
How to do the build a chair STEM Challenge
• Challenge: Build a chair that can withstand weight of water filled water bottle.
• Materials: newspaper , glue, ropes, cello tape, rubber band, water bottle, a weighing scale, etc.
• What to do: Make a chair that can withstand weight. The chair must not have more than 4 legs. A hand rest is optional, but a backrest is necessary.
Test your chair
Now, take your constructed chair and weigh it.
Weight of chair:
Weigh water bottle filled with water on the weighing machine.
Weight of water bottle:
Now test out your chair by keeping the water bottle filled with water on it.
Was it able to withstand the weight of water bottle?
If yes, then calculate the ratio of your weight to the weight of the chair.
Ratio of weight of water bottle to the weight of the chair
Estimate the ratio. The highest ratio will be considered the winner. Rebuild it with certain modifications and test it again.
Note the modifications that you made after testing the chair:
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Reflection
Which chair is stronger: a 3-legged chair or a 4-legged chair?
Which concept of science gives strength to a desk chair to withstand more load?
Which type of material could increase the strength of the chair?
Which type of chair did you choose to construct and why?
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