How strong is a hair really? A classroom activity
Have you ever pulled out a hair just to see the way it works and how it's put together?
I have, multiple times.
Of course, there isn't much to see with the eye itself, but under a microscope, it's another story!
By pulling on each side of a hair will ultimately be an experiment in itself to test the health of the hair, but what it's interesting to see how far the hair can actually stretch before it breaks.
Strength
To demonstrate the strength of a hair, students will tape a long hair to a 12-inch ruler (or any article weighing approximately 2 ounces) and tape the other end of the hair to a rod, from which the object dangles. The hair will not break for several days. Repeat experiment with different colors ans/or types of hair to compare results.
Elasticity
To demonstrate elasticity of a hair, students will tape one end of a 4-inch hair to a key and tape the other end of the hair to the underside of a glass jar lid, letting the hair and key hang inside the jar. On the outside of the jar, mark the spot where the key hangs every day for a week. After several days, the key should descend about 1 inch.
Image source
Students will brainstorm ways they keep their hair healthy.
Assignment
- Describe the various properties of human hair.
- Describe the properties of your own hair.
- Explain how hair types occur in families.
- Describe how to care for hair to keep it healthy.
- Explain the first picture (of this post).
Wow
My hair was completely grey 3 years ago. I started drinking Distilled water (pure water) a gallon a day & now it's returned to it's original brown colour. Also my eyesight has improved as well as my overall health. I haven't seen a doctor since I started drinking it.
https://steemit.com/health/@professorhobo/distilled-water
Had no idea how strong hair is. Thanks for posting.
No be small assignment. 😊
Nice write up. Fun reading.
I wasn't aware of what great elastic properties hair has. Phew, stretching to around an inch before breaking. Wow! Thanks for the post :) P.S. I also used to pull out my hairs and stuck them under a microscope I picked up at a rubbish dump when I was a youngster :D. I still don't know why it was thrown away. It was a decent scope, in a wooden box, vials and all.
I never thought a hair can be so strong thanks for posting
Very interesting