Now, challenge your brain power. See how many isomer models you can make. Try this with friends. It makes a great brainteaser!
Things Required:
6 paper clips
Paper and pencil
Directions:
Take one paper clip. Place it in front of you. You have made your first pattern. Can you make any more with just the one clip? Select two paper clips and place them end to end to form a chain. Use the same two clips and place one on top of the other to form a cross. How many patterns can you make with these two clips?
Add another clip to the two to make three. How many patterns can you make now, using the added clip? Now add another clip to make four, then five, then six. How does increasing the clips by one increase your chances for making new patterns? Hypothesize, or guess, how many patterns you can make before each activity. Write down your estimate, or guessed number, and draw each pattern you are able to make.
This Is What Happens:
Every time you add one more paper clip, you are able to make more new patterns.
Science Behind It:
This experiment is based on a study of probability; in this case, how many patterns you can make in each activity. The more paper clips, or elements, you have to work with, the greater the number of patterns you are able to make. The number of possible patterns increases faster than the number of clips you add.
