How to Make a Water Wheel for a Science Project
Sir Isaac Newton, an English mathematician and physicist, put forth three laws of motion. The third law states that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. For example, when you step forward and out of a boat, the boat will move backward or in the opposite direction. When you build a water wheel for a science project, you can test the third law of motion. Water pushes down on the water wheel's paddles, forcing the rotor to turn in the opposite direction. Since the water wheel's shape is circular, the thrust of moving water is transformed into rotational energy.
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Instructions
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Make a mark 2 inches from the top edge of the short side of the form board. At that mark, draw a straight line down the board. Divide this 2-inch strip into 10, 1.5-inch parts. These rectangles are your paddles.
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Use the protractor to draw two circles that are 6 inches in diameter on the foam board. You can also use the protractor to mark the circle's center where your axle will link both halves of the water wheel.
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Use the ruler to draw the letter "A". Each side of the triangle shape of the letter should also measure 6 inches. Ensure the width of A's legs and midsection are at least 1 inch. Draw two As. These shapes will form the stand for your waterwheel.
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Draw a small upside triangle on the top of one letter A. Repeat for the second A. The grooves that you create should be just large enough to hold the skewer.
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Draw two rectangles that are about 2 inches in length and 1/2 inch in width. These will hold your stand together.
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Cut out the pieces of the waterwheel from the foam board.
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Use the protractor to mark 40 degree intervals on one of the circles. These marks will be where you place the paddles.
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Glue or pin the short side of the paddles to the marks on the wheel. Angle the paddles towards the wheel's center like bicycle spokes. Attach the second wheel to the other short side of the paddles.
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Insert the skewer through the center of both wheels. Put the wheel aside.
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Glue or pin one rectangle on one of A's legs just below the midsection. Repeat this process for the other leg. Attach the second A to the rectangles or supports. This is your stand.
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Put the water wheel in the stand by resting the axle into the grooves made in the tops of the As.
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Rest your water wheel in a sink. Turn on the faucet so that it trickles down into your water wheel. The wheel should spin.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit old english water wheel image by green308 from Fotolia.com
