Name:______________________________
Biology I
Mobius Strip Activity
The Mobius Strip or Mobius Band is an one-sided band developed in the nineteenth century by
August Ferdinand Mobius, a German mathematician. Mobius Strips have many remarkable
applications in modern day living. For example, ribbons for typewriters were Mobius Strips
allowing the ribbon to be utilized on both sides for longer use. Also, some belts on cars and
farm machinery are Mobius Bands in order to provide for more uniform wear and tear on the
belts.
Today you will create a Mobius Strip and investigate its unique one-sided property. Follow the
directions below and those of your teacher’s presentation to create your own band.
1. Obtain two pieces of paper 2 inches X 11 inches.
2. Bring the 2 ends marked with an “X” together and tape the two pieces of paper together
to create one long band. Be sure to tape across the entire width of the paper to
completely seal the seam.
3. Your labeled band show look like the one below:
A
C
B
D
Tape across
seam here.
4. Pull the two ends together to make a loop with your paper band by bringing the side
labeled A, B over to meet the side labeled C, D.
A B
C D
5. Give you paper band one half twist causing the letter D to match A and letter C to
match B. Tape in place. Be sure to tape across the entire seam.
Activity:
1. Draw one continuous line until you get back to where you started. Do this by holding
the pencil in place in the center of your band and pull the paper band towards you until
you get back to where you started.
How many sides does the Mobius strip have?
Did we prove or disprove the claim that the Mobius strip is one-sided?
Explain you answer.
2. You are now going to cut your Mobius strip through the center lengthwise for the entire
distance of the band.
Before you cut the paper predict and write down how many pieces you will have when you
cut the Mobius strip in half lengthwise.
3. Start a lengthwise cut in the middle of the strip and keep cutting along the middle.
Write down your observation as to what occurred.
Did the results of your experiment support your answer/prediction in question #2?
Going further in our investigation:
1. Create another Mobius strip but this time give your paper band a full twist so that
side A matches C and side B matches D and tape the seam.
2. Using the correct format that we learned in class, create a hypothesis as to what will
occur when the new Mobius strip is cut lengthwise in the middle of the strip after it
has a full twist.
HYPOTHESIS:
If the Mobius strip has a full twist then it will
create__________________________________
3. Start a lengthwise cut in the middle of the strip and keep cutting along the middle.
Write down your observation as to what occurred.
Did the results of your experiment support or refute your hypothesis in question #2?
Explain your answer.