I need to make a hanging mobile(kinetic sculpture) for physics class that demonstrates torgueInstead of abstact shapes I'd like to use birds :) I need some way to make theseThere are a lot of materials available, styrofoam, types of wood of various thicknesses, I could get feathers, there is a jigsaw available for cutting as well as razorbladesI can get paint and a few other materials as wellI'd like the bird to be 3 dimensional, 2 sitting and 5 flying ones(Gotta figure out how to make outstretched wings)I believe there is cardstock as well.I was THINKING carving styrofoam for the body and head of the bird and using cardstock or thin wood for the tail and wing feathers and then painting themI have never worked with stryofoam though so I am not sure if it is difficult.Someone also suggested origami but I'd prefer to keep it a bit more realistic looking.
I am not sure how a mobile demonstrates torque unless you are going to use monofilament that is fairly thick so that it winds up some then unwindsThey are usually used for balance and if the thread is not thick, it will take a very long time to settle down Styrofoam can be very frustrating to carve or shape: the bead kind looses beads and both kinds put off a lot of dustIt is usually shaped with a hot wire that carves its way through and seals the surfaceEspecially if you are trying for smaller than a 4 body length, it will be very fragile and break in your hands Paper mache or plastic clay might be choicesWings might be aluminum foil or aluminum sheet from soda cans or index card stock.
I am not sure how a mobile demonstrates torque unless you are going to use monofilament that is fairly thick so that it winds up some then unwindsThey are usually used for balance and if the thread is not thick, it will take a very long time to settle down Styrofoam can be very frustrating to carve or shape: the bead kind looses beads and both kinds put off a lot of dustIt is usually shaped with a hot wire that carves its way through and seals the surfaceEspecially if you are trying for smaller than a 4 body length, it will be very fragile and break in your hands Paper mache or plastic clay might be choicesWings might be aluminum foil or aluminum sheet from soda cans or index card stock.
