Explain Compression and Tension in Triangles

0:33

1:03

21.6K views

At 0:33 in

Triangle Tuesday!

Watch on YouTube

What happens here

Present a pre-assembled triangular wooden frame that has its sides labeled 'Compression' and 'Tension'. Explain that when a force or weight is applied to the top of a triangle, the two angled sides experience 'compression' (being pushed inwards), while the base experiences 'tension' (being pulled outwards). Since wood (or any solid material) resists changes in its length (stretching or shrinking) far more than it resists changes in angle, the triangle maintains its shape and rigidity under load. This force distribution is why triangles are considered the strongest geometric shape for structural stability.

Goal: Illustrate how forces are distributed within a triangular structure.

Tools and materials

Triangular Wooden Frame — To visually explain compression and tension forces

What they say

(459 characters)

Hide

has to get longer or shorter. And wood doesn't like stretching or shrinking. And that's why a triangle is so special. Because a triangle can't change shape unless one of the sides changes length. When weight is applied on the top, these two sides go in compression and this bottom one goes into tension. And that's why engineers use triangles in just about anything. Cranes, roof trusses, bridges, whatever the case is, the triangle is one of the simplest and

Auto-generated from the video audio.