Water Works!

EPSCoRAdventure Learning Workshop

Facilitators: Dr. Jairo Hernandez (Assistant Professor, Civil Engineering Department), Taylor Enos, ClementinaArriaga and Alejandro Montoya (Engineering undergraduates), Kevin Tan (graduate student)

(Source: wikipedia.org)

Introduction (Source: Rockyhydro.com)

Science and Engineering are all around us; from plugging in your phone to flushing the toilet. Although it may seem like common sense, a lot of thought and manipulation has gone into the task of creating a better wellbeing for society.

Water can be a tremendous resource when it comes to generating energy and work. The reason for this, is because when water is moving it is a force. This force carries momentum. Momentum is the product of the mass of the water and its velocity (p = mv). This momentum can be conserved or it can be transferred. When the momentum is transferred, it can be applied to other mechanisms to create energy. This energy can be used to generate electricity (dams and turbines), produce mechanical work (wells), as well as many other applications. Let's make water do some job for us!

Equipment

  • 2 buckets
  • String – about 5 ft.
  • Scissors
  • Plastic recipient
  • Small metal rod
  • Plasticbottle (small and medium size)
  • Duct tape
  • Water blaster
  • Box cutter

Procedure(see pictures next page)

1.)Start by obtaining all necessary materials listed in the equipment section (picture I)

2.)Create the flaps for the rotary wheel by cutting out rectangles from the tub-o-wear.(pictures II and III)

3.)Cut slits in the medium size bottle in order to insert the lips of the rotary flaps. (pictures IV and V)

4.)Next, make holes in the lid and bottom of the medium size bottle, remove the handle from one of the buckets, and insert the handle through the holes in the bottom and lid. While this is being done, other group members may fill up the other bucket with water. (picture VI)

5.)Replace the handle onto the bucket with the medium size bottle (rotary wheel) attached. (picture VII)

6.)Using duct tape, secure the handle so that it is straight up and doesnot wiggle around. (picture VIII)

7.)Fasten the small metal rod to each side of the bucket handle using duct tape so that the rotary flaps slightly brush past the rod. (picture IX)

8.)Fill up the small size water bottle with the desired amount of water.

9.)Attach the one end of the string to the lid of the small water bottle and place it inside the empty bucket. (pictures X and XI)

10.)Tape the opposite end of the string to the groove of the medium size bottle and wind the string around the bottle until the string becomes tight due to the tension of the small water bottle. (picture XII)

11.)Blast water at the rotary wheel and enjoy! The winner will be the team that raises more water!

(I.) (IV.)

(II.) (V.)

(III.) (VI.)

(VII.) (X.)

(VIII.) (XI.)

(IX.) (XII.)