To investigate whether the length of a beam affects its strength

Aim: To show how the length of a beam affects its strength

Materials: drinking straws, clamps, weights

Method

1. Clamp the ends of a straw and measure its length
2. Add weights in the middle of the straw and find its breaking strength
3. Shorten the straw by 2 cm a time and find the breaking strength of each length length
4. Put the results in a table and plot them on a graph
5. Repeat steps 1 to 3 using four or five straws tied together

Results and Observations

• The longest beam is much more easily broken
• The longer the beam the more easily it can be broken
• This problem can be solved by having multiple support points along the length of the beam
• When more straws are used the beam becomes stronger and supports more mass/weights

Conclusion

• The strength of a beam decreases as its length increases
• Multiple support points can be used to reduce the impact of this effect
• A beam is stronger when it is made thicker

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