Force and motion
Pop-ups
6. Where Does it Hide?
Overview
This lesson develops an explanation for the Pop-up Computer result in Lesson 5. First, students predict how the pop-up will fit inside the book when it is closed; then they find out by assembling a pop-up inside a clear folder. The results will probably surprise them (and you)! This information leads to a visual picture of why A + B = C + D.
Materials
For each student:
- Scissors, tape, ballpoint pen and ruler
- Parallel-fold Template
- Worksheet: Where Does it Hide?
- See-thru Book
- Science Notebook
Procedure
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When does the pop-up make A + B = C + D? When you first tape a strip in the book, all you know is the strip length B + C. Lead a discussion about when and how the book decides on the separate link lengths B & C. See a video illustrating this issue. Outcome: The book separates B and C and forces A + B = C + D only when it closes.
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Where does it hide? To find out why A + B = C + D, we need to know what happens when the book is closed. The Worksheet asks students to predict where the pop-up “hides” when the book is closed. Students should draw their predictions in the middle column. To check their predictions, point out that they can’t see inside the book when it’s closed – unless they have x-ray vision, like Superman! To solve this problem, we have invented the See-thru Book, which they can look inside when it’s closed. See a video showing how to use the See-thru Book. Outcome: See the answer quide to the Worksheet.
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Discuss the results of the experiment: Why does the pop-up get pushed over to the right as the book is closed? What is making it go there? Outcome: When the left page closes over the right page, it pushes the left page position and fold with it, making them move over to the right.
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Why does A + B = C + D? Inside the See-thru Book, use markers to label A, B, C, and D. Then compare the distance A + B on one side with the distance C + D on the other side of the book. See a video showing why A + B = C + D. Outcome: When the book is closed, A + B and C + D are on opposite sides of the book and both start and end at the same place, so they are equal.
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Extensions: Explore how to make the pop-up stay inside the book
- Discover how to make a pop-up that lies flat when the book is open. What shapes does it make from an edge view?
Worksheet: Where Does it Hide?
