VIDEO LAB: Making a Simple Steam Engine

The Big Idea

You will create a device that will convert thermal energy to mechanical energy. It will be a representation of a turbine.

Video Lab

Watch the video lab and answer the questions. Then, if able, perform the experiment yourself.

1) Choose the best answer. What happened to the molecules in the water as it was heated?

	The molecules gained energy and became excited.
	The molecules evaporated immediately.
	The molecules separated and rose to the top of the water.

2) Choose the best answer. Did kinetic energy increase or decrease as the water was heated?

	decreased
	increased
	remained the same

3) Choose the best answer. What was the result of the steam escaping through the hole in the top of the can?

	Nothing happened.
	The steam turned the fan.
	The steam rose into the air, but nothing else happened.

4)Type your answer in the box below. Explain the process by which thermal energy was changed to mechanical energy in this experiment.

Materials

• empty soda can
• wire coat hanger
• aluminum tape
• short piece of flexible wire
• metal pie plate (disposable)
• scissors
• heat source (Bunsen burner or stovetop)
• distilled water
• metric ruler

Safety Precautions

Wear gloves while handling the pie plate to prevent cuts. Be careful of open flame.

Procedures

Fig. 2 Bend shape for coat hanger

1. Cut out the pattern in Fig. 1. Tape the pattern to the bottom of a disposable aluminum pie plate. Tape around all the edges.
2. Cut down each line from the outside until you reach the inner circle.
3. Punch a hole in the center of the aluminum piece big enough to fit the coat hanger through. (In fact, you can punch the hole using the coat hanger.)
4. Cut around the outside of the pattern. This will release a piece.
5. Bend each "vane" to make a small fan, or turbine.
6. Bend the coat hanger as shown in Fig. 2.
7. Tape the hanger to the can with duct tape or metal tape.
8. Mount the turbine to the wire so that the edge of the turbine is positioned over the hole of the can. This turbine blade can be kept in place by wrapping the piece of wire around the tip of the coat-hanger wire.
9. Fill the can about one-fourth of the way full with water.
10. Place the can above a heat source.