Beth Kappus and The MathScience Innovation Center Team Magnify the Properties Beth Kappus and The MathScience Innovation Center Team

“One Inch Tall” by Shel Silverstein

If you were only one inch tall, you'd ride a worm to school  If you were only one inch tall, you'd ride a worm to school. The teardrop of a crying ant would be your swimming pool. A crumb of cake would be a feast And last you seven days at least, A flea would be a frightening beast If you were one inch tall. If you were only one inch tall, you'd walk beneath the door, And it would take about a month to get down to the store. A bit of fluff would be your bed, You'd swing upon a spider's thread, And wear a thimble on your head If you were one inch tall. You'd surf across the kitchen sink upon a stick of gum. You couldn't hug your mama, you'd just have to hug her thumb. You'd run from people's feet in fright, To move a pen would take all night, (This poem took fourteen years to write-- 'Cause I'm just one inch tall). Have a student hold the one inch figure next to them while you read poem. Discuss what it would be like if we were that small. How would things be different? When we observe materials the properties may look different depending on the materials size but they are really the same.

Scaling This picture is a drawing of a car before it is built. Question the students about who else uses scale? This picture is a drawing of a car before it is built. An Engineer drew this to scale. A scale drawing is used to compare the size of the object on paper with the size of the real object.

Magnification Magnification makes objects appear larger to our eyes The first picture is salt crystals on a table. The second picture is of the salt crystals magnified. Magnification makes objects appear larger to our eyes Scientists use microscopes to magnify objects to observe more details. Question the students about who else uses microscope. What do telescopes do? The salt crystals have been magnified 40X under water to visualize the crystal pattern.

Lets Observe!

Digital microscope images

Paper Towel 1000X Magnification Identify the fibers and spaces that would absorb water.

Nitinol Wire 720X Magnification Identify the smooth surface of the wire.

Salt 1000X Magnification Identify how the pieces of the crystal may come apart when the salt dissolves in water.

What is the smallest piece?

Why is it important to observe the properties of materials? To help us answer questions. To have the right material for the right job. Identify things like the counter top and stove surfaces. Identify the artificial or man made parts that can be used in humans.

Materials Science Engineers Who does this Job? Materials Science Engineers Biomedical Engineers Structural Engineers And YOU!