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  • Early Years Foundation Stage

Moving Stonehenge

Age 16 to 18
Challenge Level Yellow star
  • Problem
  • Getting Started
  • Student Solutions

Stonehenge is formed from massive stones made from Dolerite, which is has a density of $2.9$ tons $m^{-3}$. Interestingly, the quarries where such stones are found are a great distance from Stonehenge itself. It is usually assumed that the massive blocks were transported by water.

If we assumed that rafts were used to transport the blocks, what is the minimum length of trees, of diameter 20cm, that would have been required to transport each stone? An indicative density of wood is $\frac{3}{5}$ that of water, and assume that a typical Stonehenge stone can be approximated as a cuboid 5m high with 60cm square side length.

How would things change if barges were used instead of rafts?

You might want to experiment with wooden rods and kilogram weights to see how much weight a small raft can actually support. In order to do this, you will need to work out an estimate for the actual density of your wooden rods. Do your results tie in with the theory? What other mathematical and modelling issues arise?
 

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The NRICH Project aims to enrich the mathematical experiences of all learners. To support this aim, members of the NRICH team work in a wide range of capacities, including providing professional development for teachers wishing to embed rich mathematical tasks into everyday classroom practice.

NRICH is part of the family of activities in the Millennium Mathematics Project.

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