Hey there! Welcome back to our fun science adventure about forts and forces. Last time, we learned how to build a cool sheet fort using a bedsheet, some books, and a couple of chairs or a long piece of string. We used a force called tension, which happens when we pull something tight, to make a roof for our fort.
But guess what? Tension isn’t the only force you can use to build a fort! There’s another force called compression, which is super helpful too. While tension is about pulling things tight, compression happens when things are pushed together. Imagine squeezing a spring in your hands. That’s compression!
When you sit on a chair, the legs of the chair get squeezed between the seat and the floor. This is compression at work! If the chair’s legs weren’t strong enough, they might break, and you’d end up on the floor. That’s why chairs are made of strong materials like metal and wood, not something like raw spaghetti!
Now, let’s use compression to build a fort. First, we need strong materials that can handle pressure. So, no spaghetti! You can use chairs again, but this time, set them up with the seats facing each other and leave some space between them. Place a sofa cushion on top of the seats. Even though we can’t see it, the legs of the chairs are getting compressed a little bit, creating a nice tunnel for your fort.
We can also use cushions and compression to build the walls of our fort. This part is a two-person job, so grab a friend or family member to help. Stand up two cushions on their ends, far enough apart to fit between them but close enough for another cushion to reach across the top as a roof. One person holds the walls up while the other balances a third cushion on top. Ta-dah! The wall cushions are compressed by the roof cushion, creating a cozy space.
Before you go inside, check your fort. If the wall cushions are too soft, they might bend under the compression from the roof. If they’re too squishy, your fort might collapse, which could be fun for a moment but means you’ll need a better design. Once you have a sturdy fort, you can make it bigger by adding more walls or making it longer with extra pillows.
Now your fort is ready for some fun! You can do science experiments inside, just like Squeaks and I love to do. What will you do in your fort? Remember, compression is the force we create when we squeeze something, and it’s great for building forts. Just make sure to choose materials that can handle the pressure.
How do you like to make your forts? Do you have a picture of a fort you’re really proud of? Or maybe you have a question for SciShow Kids about anything at all? Get an adult’s help and let us know by leaving a comment or emailing us at [email protected]. See you next time!
Compression Experiment: Gather some different materials like a sponge, a small pillow, and a piece of cardboard. Try to build a small fort using these materials by stacking them on top of each other. Observe which materials compress easily and which ones hold their shape better. Discuss with a friend or family member why some materials are better for building forts using compression.
Build a Mini Fort: Use small blocks or toy bricks to build a mini fort. Try to create a roof by placing a flat object, like a book, on top of the blocks. Notice how the blocks are compressed by the weight of the book. Experiment with different block arrangements to see which design holds the book best. Talk about how compression helps keep the fort stable.
Observation Walk: Take a walk around your home or outside with an adult and look for examples of compression. Can you find objects that are being squeezed or pressed together, like a stack of books or a bridge? Draw or take pictures of what you find and discuss how compression is used in everyday structures.
