Use this blog post to learn about this difficult mathematical concept in an easy, interactive, kid-friendly way.
What are you waiting for? Create your own Möbius strip today!
Materials:
Paper, scissors, tape
Time Estimated:
5 min
Directions:
Cut a strip of paper about an inch wide (though the size does not really matter).
Connect the two ends of the paper strip to form a circle, then flip one side over (twist 180 degrees) and tape to form a circle with one twist in it.
This is called a Möbius strip. Make a small cut in the middle (lengthwise) and then continue cutting all around the circle. [Cut along the line shown in this picture].
Pull it apart—instead of having two circles as you might expect, you now have one big circle with two twists in it!
Make another Möbius strip by following steps 1 and 2 again. This time start cutting a third of the way into the strip of paper instead of in half. Keep cutting in a straight line until you match up to your original cut (you should go around the circle twice). [See the image below for clarification. From the point shown in the image, you cut around the circle once more which will line up with your original cut].
Now pull it apart. You should have two separate circles, a big circle with a little circle looped around it!!
Think Like A Scientist:
Stop at step 3 before doing step 4: what do you think will happen? Was your guess correct?
Stop at step 5 before doing step 6: what do you think will happen now? Was your guess correct?
Do you think the same thing will happen if you DON’T twist the paper when you tape it into a circle? Try it!
What happens if you twist the paper twice? What about three times? Try it!
How It Works:
The object you just created in this experiment is a mathematical shape called a Möbius strip. It was actually discovered (did you know that shapes can be discovered?) by a German mathematician named August Möbius in 1858. Look at your loop and think about a toy car going around it and returning to a starting position. The car will go around both sides of the loop in order to get back to where it started.
This shape inspired an entire field of mathematics called topology, which is the study of weird shapes just like this one and what happens when we change them in some way (so, you just did some topology!).
Maybe you’ve seen the recycling symbol:
That’s an example of a Möbius strip. Be on the lookout, because you might see this shape in other places like art and sculptures, and now you’ll know what it’s called!
Looking for more fun at home STEM activities for your young scientist? Check out our workbook full of exciting science experiments and empowering activities!
