Grade 7 Science: Forces and Structures

The purpose for why a structure is built

How a structure looks (is it pleasing to the eye) or feels, good or bad

Any object made of parts that are arranged together to provide support

A structure formed from a solid piece or combination of solid pieces

A structure made up of a rigid arrangement of parts or components that are fastened together

A structure with a strong outer surface and is hollow inside

A structure made up of more than one structural form

A push or pull on an object

Magnitude, direction, location

The size/strength of the force

The location of the object that the force is applied to

The direction you apply the force in

A force applied to an object by another object or force

An imaginary point where gravity is equal on both sides of the structure making it balanced

The weight that a structure must be able to hold

Climate, location, materials available, cost, aesthetically pleasing, natural forces, does it impact wildlife?

Dynamic, and static

A load that moves or shifts

A load that is motionless (dead load)

Beam, truss, suspension, and arch

A bridge that is supported by pillars at the ends which holds up the beam. It is flat and is the most common type of bridge.

A bridge that uses triangles (trusses) on the sides to hold up the load. It is lightweight and strong.

A bridge that uses cables to enforce it. There are towers at the ends that hold it up.

A strong bridge that uses an arch to transfer the load to the pillars. This bridge can withstand heavy loads.

A force applied on the inside of an object or structure

Torsion (when an object becomes twisted), Shear (when two materials slide past each other), Compression (the push on an object making it shorter), Tension or Stretching (the pull on an object making it longer), Bending (one side squeezes together while the other pulls apart making it curved)

When an object gets pushed inwards. This makes the shape of the object shorter.

When an object is stretched apart. This makes the shape of the object longer.

When two sides of an object slide past each other in the opposite direction. The object looks tilted.

When an object becomes curved because of a combination of compression and tension. One side squeezes together while the other side pulls apart. This makes a curved shape in the object.

When an object is twisted. When this happens, one side becomes vertical and the other is horizontal.

When a structure can no longer withstand the force that is acted on it making the structure break or fracture

When a structure is worn down by the force and is slowly breaking down

Certain structural shapes equally distribute weight among the rest of the shapes therefore making a structure stronger

Something used to connect two or more objects

A joint that does not move and cannot bend

A joint that can move and is flexible

Corrugation, lamination, using a truss, using a arch, using a tie, or using a strut

The limit within which the manufacturer believes the safety performance of a structure is acceptable

Waves like shapes inside two sheets

How strong and flexible a structure is

Connecting layers of materials together

A framework of beams that form triangles

It is a curved structure that equally distributes weight amongst the rest of the structure

A beam that is used to resist tension

A beam used to resist compression

Cost (how much will it cost to build and operate), benefits (the benefits of building it and who will enjoy it), safety (is there a safety hazard, who or what can be affected), and impact on the environment (will and how it may impact, how to prevent harm).

When two or more internal forces are acted upon a structure