Twisted Strings

Starring

You and Your Students!

Script By

Vicki Cobb, Education World Science Editor

Synopsis

Take string and rope apart to discover their strength.

Genre

Physical Science

Props Required

• assorted cordage: string, yarn, thread, rope, twine, and so on -- cut into 2-inch lengths (You might have students bring in a variety of samples from home.)
• magnifying glasses (one for each student or each pair of students)

Setting the Scene (Background)

When I was knitting the other day I was reminded about what an amazing invention string is. The individual fibers are very tiny and very weak. But when they strands of fine fiber are combined, they work together to create a strong bond. The secret is in the twist

Stage Direction

Show-Biz Science is scripted by popular children's book writer Vicki Cobb. Click to learn more about Vicki or to read a brief synopsis of her philosophy of teaching science. Visit our archive of archive of Show-Biz Science Activities. Watch for a new activity each week. Then chat with Vicki -- share your feedback and ask your questions about teaching science -- on our special Showbiz-Science message board. Be sure to visit Vicki's Kids' Science Page for more great science fun, a complete list of her books, and information about how you can invite Vicki to come to your school. And don't miss her library of science videos too. Or visit Vicki and other great authors of nonfiction for children at the INK Think Tank.

One of the best ways to understand something is to take it apart. Have your students bring in pieces of string, twine, yarn, thread, rope -- a variety of cordage. This is the kind of hands-on activity in which everyone can get involved. Give each student at least two different kinds of cordage cut into 2-inch lengths. Have them work at their desks as you describe what they are to do.

Plot

Act I
Have students examine their cordage samples. What do they have in common? With rare exceptions, all cordage is twisted That twist can be in one of two directions. To figure out the direction of the twist, grasp opposite ends of a cord. Hold one end firmly with the less favorite (weaker) hand. Use the favored hand to rotate the other end of the cord between the thumb and first finger.

• If a counterclockwise motion with the right hand unwinds the cord, the cord has been given an S-twist.
• If a clockwise motion unwinds it, the cord has been given a Z-twist.

Note: This is a good opportunity to review with students the directions "clockwise" and "counterclockwise."

Different kinds of cordage have different amounts of twist. You can see this difference by comparing the number of times you turn over one end of a piece of cordage to unwind it. Many cords will separate into strands, or plies, as you unwind them. The most common cordage is three-ply (with three strands). Often the strands themselves have been twisted. Check the direction of the twist in the strands. If the cord has an S-twist, the ply often has a Z-twist.

If you continue to untwist the strands, eventually you'll end up with a single fiber. Examine that fiber with a magnifying glass. Some fibers will be very smooth and fine. Some will be coarse, with an irregular shape. Have the students pull on the fibers to break them. Some will be stronger than others.

Act II
Some cordage can be cut without unwinding. If you simple twist two threads together they instantly unwind when you let go. So how do manufacturers make the twist permanent? If you've ever done a lot of hand sewing, you've seen the answer. Your students can see it, too. Have them work in pairs.

• Give each pair a 3-foot length of string.
• Each student holds one end of the string and they stand far enough away from each other for the string to be stretched straight.
• One person begins twisting his/her end of the string while the other person holds on tight.
• After twisting it as much as possible, the students meet to fold the string in half. Ta! Da! The two halves of the string twist around each other, putting a permanent twist into the cordage.
• The students can now let go of both ends and the twisted string will not unwind.

You might notice this when you sew: Your over and over motion of the needle twists the thread so that it wraps around itself. Every once in a while you have to let the needle hang down so that the thread can untwist. Very annoying but there's no getting away from it!

Behind the Scenes

The art of rope-making depends on transferring the twist from one place to another. In colonial days people worked together "laying" ropes by hand. Each ply was given a separate twist, then three or four plies were stretched out side by side and released. As the plies untwisted they wound around each other. Today, ropes are made by machine; they are much tighter than any made by hand.

Article By Vicki Cobb
Education World®
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