  The mechanical behaviour of two types of pasta (noodles and bucatini) was
studied in a cantilever-loaded-at-the-end experimental setup. One end of each
pasta was fixed while the other end was submitted to forces perpendicular to
the line determined by the pasta when undeflected. Elastic curves were studied,
resulting in values of $E=2.60$ GPa and $E=2.26$ GPa for the Young's modulus of
bucatini and noodles respectively. The relation coming from small slopes
approximation between the free end's displacement and the load was analyzed,
resulting in values of $E=2.33$ GPa and $E=2.44$ GPa for the Young's modulus of
bucatini and noodles respectively. Mechanical hysteresis was found in the
pasta, resulting in a small deformation. This experiment can be done with low
cost materials and it is a good first introduction to some basic concepts of
elasticity for mechanics courses.
