Torsion is a twisting that causes objects to fail when one end is rotated in the opposite direction as the other. Once the twisting force on the object is to much the object will fail. Some materials have greater resistance to torsion than others. Our tests showed that paper is more resistant to torsion than a straw is, probably because of it's greater width. Steel and other materials that are stronger would have greater resistance to torsion, unless they were brittle materials. Shape also effects an object's resistance to torsion. Round shapes would be less likely to fail as a result of torsion. Thin objects fail more easily than thicker objects. The longer an object is, the easier it will fail. This is an explanation of torsion.

--Tim K