How to Build a Fountain as a Science Project
Heron's Fountain is regarded as an example of perpetual motion because hydrostatic pressure changes from sealed containers can produce a continuous flow of water as fluid and pressure are displaced. Heron's Fountain does not require electricity for water flow. Depending on the grade level of the student, conservation of energy and fluid dynamics can be discussed as part of the project. A science project of Heron's Fountain can be constructed from plastic takeout containers, household supplies, and tubing from pet and aquarium stores. Uniform clear or translucent plastic containers can make the components of the project easy to see in a demonstration.
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Things You'll Need
- Pint plastic container with lid
- Quart plastic container with lid
- Ruler
- Marker
- Rubber tubing
- Scissors
- Masking tape
- Drill
- Measuring cup
- Water
- Optional: Rubber washers, plastic epoxy, food coloring
Instructions
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Preparation
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1
Label the side of each container with "1" on the pint; "2" on one quart container; "3" on the second quart container.
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2
Mark drill holes in the center area of each container as described below, leaving a 1-inch gap between the holes:
Bottom of Container 1 (pint)
Lid for each quart container (for Container 2 and Container 3)
Bottom of Container 2 (quart) -
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3
Affix a piece of masking tape over each drill mark. Drill holes as marked to fit the tubing.
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4
Insert tubing into each hole to ensure a snug fit and remove the masking tape.
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5
Glue rubber washers on each side of each hole, if desired, to create a watertight seal for the tubing. For example, if the tubing diameter is three-eighths of an inch, then drill a hole of the same size or slightly smaller.
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6
Cover Container 2 with a lid and place Container 1 on top.
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7
Measure the distance from the top of Container 1 to the bottom of Container 2.
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8
Measure and cut tubing to this length; mark this tubing "1-2."
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9
Cover Container 2 and Container 3 with their lids, place Container 2 on top of Container 3 and measure the distance from the top of Container 2 to the bottom of Container 3.
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10
Measure and cut two sets of tubing to this length; mark each "2-3."
Assembly
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11
Fill Container 3 with one cup of water.
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12
Cover with the lid and insert tubing marked "2-3" as follows:
Right tube -- push tubing until it is 1 inch from the bottom.
Left tube -- Insert to 1 inch from the top. -
13
Place Container 2 so that the left and right holes on the bottom align with the left and right tubes from Container 3. Important notes: the right tube should not reach the top of Container 2; the left tube should extend beyond the top of Container 2.
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14
Measure and pour three cups of water into Container 2.
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15
Cover Container 2 with a lid and push the extended tubing (left side) through the corresponding hole on the lid (left hole).
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16
Insert tubing marked "1-2" into the right hole of the lid and push to 1 inch from the top.
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17
Place Container 1 so that the left and right holes on the bottom align with the left and right tubes from Container 2. Important notes: the right tube should extend beyond the top of Container 1; the left tube should extend approximately 1 inch from the bottom of Container 1.
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18
Measure and pour three-quarters of a cup of water into Container 1.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Securely seal each lid for the two lower containers to maintain pressure.
Add a drop or two of food coloring to the water to better show the flow of water in this system.
For presentation purposes, measure and display the distances between the water levels for Container 1 and Container 2 and for Container 1 and Container 3, to illustrate Hero's Formula for hydrostatic pressure.
Be careful when drilling holes in plastic to avoid injuries.
