Paper Cutting

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In this activity about scale, learners investigate the world of the very small by cutting a 28 centimeter strip of paper in half as many times as they can. If learners could cut the strip of paper in half 31 times, they would end up with a piece of paper the size of an atom! This activity guide includes a chart that compares each cut with relative sizes of everyday things we can see like an eye and poppy seed and things too small to see like bacteria and light waves.

Quick Guide

Preparation Time:
Under 5 minutes
Learning Time:
Under 5 minutes
Estimated Materials Cost:
1 cent - $1 per student
Age Range:
Ages 11 - 18
Resource Type:
Activity
Language:
English

Materials List (per student)

  • 1 strip of paper 28 centimeters long (11" inches)
  • 1 pair of scissors

Keywords

Subjects

  • Engineering and Technology
    • Engineering
      • Nanotechnology
  • Mathematics
    • Measurement
      • Size and Scale
  • Physical Sciences
    • Structure and Properties of Matter
      • Elementary Particles and Nuclear Physics

Audience

To use this activity, learners need to:

  • see
  • touch

Learning styles supported:

  • Involves hands-on or lab activities

Other

This resource is part of:

Access Rights:

  • Free access

By:

  • Little, Carlyn ; LaHart, David ; Meyers, Ted ; Weisblat, Brooks

Rights:

  • All rights reserved, Museum of Science, Inc. (Miami, FL), 1997

Funding Source:

  • Unisys