To understand how engineers compare different materials. To understand why cross-sectional shape is important in design. More deflection with larger load. The length of the beam. The deflection increases with the length.
Higher stiffness produces less deflection.
The geometry of the cross section. Higher moment of inertia result s in less deflection. In the lab, three cantilever beams will be set up in order to compare their deflection. The third beam is made up of aluminum with a smaller cross sectional area than the first two beams, but with a box cross-section. To do the bending tests, you will clamp the beams to the bench top and measure deflection while you apply known loads.