Hinges let things turn — Engineering, 4–6 years
A hinge joins parts while allowing one part to turn around a fixed line. Engineering, 4–6 years.
A hinge makes a turning join
A hinge joins two parts but lets one part turn around a line. The leaves of a door, the lid of a box and a pair of scissors all use this idea. The parts stay connected, so the moving part does not wander away or need to be held separately.
Why not just bend it?
A sheet of card can bend, but it may crease, tear or stop closing neatly after many movements. People needed doors and lids that could open and shut again and again while staying attached. A hinge puts the turning in one planned place, leaving the rest of the parts supported.
A box lid
Cut a card lid for a small box. Place a strip of tape along the back edge, with half on the box and half on the lid. Open the lid, close it, and open it again. If it turns along the taped edge while the lid stays attached, you have made a simple hinge.
The hinge needs room
A common surprise is that a lid will not open even though its hinge is firmly attached. This is reasonable: we often think the hinge alone controls the movement. But the lid also needs a clear path, and its edges may hit the box or the wall. Leave a small gap and check the whole turning path.
Opening and closing
You can find hinges on cupboards, toilet seats, laptops, gates and some toy animals. They are useful whenever something must move but remain attached in the right place. Large hinges carry heavy doors; tiny hinges help a glasses case or a small box open neatly.
Keep exploring
Other languages
Loading MyLeoNes™…