Steam Power: Pushing Boats With Air

Steam, the gaseous version of water, can be used to power boats. In this lesson, children will learn how to make a steam-powered boat and observe Sir Isaac Newton's third law of motion in action. They will also develop critical thinking skills and gain a basic understanding of how a steamboat works. This lesson is designed for kids in 3rd to 5th grade and can be modified for older students by increasing the weight limit of the boat or allowing additional supplies. The activity involves creating a simple steam engine by coiling a copper tube, filling it with water, and heating the water to generate steam, which will push the boat forward.

What is steam?

Steam is a gas that is formed when water is heated to a certain temperature. It is a very common phenomenon that we see in our everyday lives. For example, when you boil water on the stove, you will see that the water starts to bubble and smoke. That smoke is steam!

Steam is actually water in a gaseous state. Usually, water is in a liquid state at room temperature. But when we heat it, it changes from a liquid to a gas. This process is called evaporation. When water evaporates, it takes up more space than it did in its liquid form because the molecules move further apart and spread out. This is why steam can fill up a room and make it misty.

Steam is often used to generate power and energy. A long time ago, people used steam to power trains and boats. These were called steam engines. Today, we still use steam in power plants to generate electricity.

You can also see steam when you breathe out on a cold day. Our bodies are warm, so when we breathe out, the warm air from our lungs meets the cold air outside, and we see steam coming out of our mouths. This is why you might see your breath in the winter!

Steam is very important and has many uses. We can use it to cook, clean, and even generate energy. It is all around us and is a very interesting part of science!

How to make a steam boat

Making a steam boat is a fantastic project that combines fun with education, teaching basic principles of physics and engineering. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make a simple steam boat:

Materials and Tools:

• Brass or copper tube with specific dimensions (outside diameter: 3mm or 1/8 inch, inside diameter: 2mm, length: 50 cm)
• Narrow aluminium cake baking form (disposable)
• Binder clip with a 2 cm base
• Small aluminium cup (from a candle light)
• Double-sided adhesive tape (without foam)
• Sturdy cylinder-shaped piece of wood
• Screws and screwdriver
• Sturdy tube
• Optional: Permanent markers, aluminium foil, and additional aluminium form for a rudder

Step 1: Making the Bending Tool:

The bending tool, or coiling mandrel, can be made by an adult in advance. Take a sturdy cylinder-shaped piece of wood (about 2 cm in diameter and 3 cm in length) and attach it to a piece of scrap wood (minimum dimensions: 4 cm x 15 cm x 1 cm) using screws. The gap between the cylinder and the screw should be equal to the diameter of the brass or copper tube.

Step 2: Coiling the Engine:

Place the brass or copper tube in the bending tool, with one end sticking out about 9.5 cm. Slide a sturdy tube over the other end as a bending aid. Use the piece of wood and the sturdy tube as levers to bend the brass or copper tube around the mandrel, making four windings. Remove the sturdy tube and slide it over the other end, then bend this end 45 degrees towards the top. Repeat the process on the other side, so that the two ends of the tube are perpendicular to each other.

Step 3: Assembling the Boat:

Take the aluminium cake baking form and stretch both ends. One end will form the bow, and the other end is folded inwards at about a 45-degree angle. Widen the sides of the boat for better access to the inside. Place the engine in the fold with the tube ends touching the surface. Attach the engine tubes using the binder clip, ensuring the opening of the coiled shape is directed somewhat vertically. You may need to bend the aluminium slightly to get the desired shape. Attach the small aluminium cup under the coil using double-sided adhesive tape.

Step 4: Adding a Rudder (Optional):

If you want your boat to move in a straight line or make a determined curve, you can add a rudder. Cut a flat piece of aluminium (at least 12 cm x 5 cm) from a disposable aluminium baking form and fold it along its long axis. Cut out a rudder shape using a paper template, and attach it to the boat by sliding it into the fold between the tube ends.

Step 5: Decoration (Optional):

Decorate the boat with materials that are resistant to water and heat, such as permanent markers and aluminium foil. Avoid placing any decorations close to the flame.

Step 6: Preparing to Sail:

Fill the coil engine with water until it comes out the other end. Place the boat in the water and charge the aluminium cup with an Esbit fuel tablet. Light a match and drop it into the cup. Allow the tablet to ignite fully, and then watch your steam boat move!

Always exercise caution when working with fire and steam, and ensure proper adult supervision when children are involved.

How to make a steam engine

Steam engines have been used as toys for children and as a source of power for transportation and electricity. Here is a guide on how to make a steam engine, with a focus on the topic of how steam can push a boat for a children's lesson.

Soda Can Steam Engine

First, cut an aluminium can to about 2.5 inches tall. Use tin snips or shop scissors to cut about 1/3 of the way up from its base. Fold and crimp the cut rim with pliers to eliminate sharp edges. Push the bottom of the can out from the inside to flatten it. Punch two holes on opposite sides of the can 1/2 inch from the top. Place a tea light candle in the centre of the can, using crumpled foil to hold it in place.

Take a 6-8 inch piece of 1/8-inch copper tubing and wrap it around a pencil 2-3 times to make a coil. Insert the ends of the tubing through the holes in the can and centre the coil over the wick of the candle. Bend the ends of the tube with pliers to make 90-degree angles, so they go in opposite directions on each side of the can. Set the can in a large bowl of room-temperature water, with the tubing ends submerged. Fill the tubes with water and light the candle. As the water in the tubing heats up, it will begin to boil and shoot out of the tubes, causing the can to spin.

Paint Can Steam Engine

For this steam engine, you will need two paint cans: a gallon can and a quart can. Cut a rectangular hole near the base of the gallon can, 1 inch up from the base. Cut a piece of metal mesh 4 2/3 inches by 9 1/3 inches. Bend 2 1/3 inches at either end of the mesh down at a 90-degree angle to create a platform with legs. Place this inside the gallon paint can, with the legs down, lining it up with the edges of the hole.

Make a half-circle of holes along the lid's perimeter of the gallon can. Drill or punch holes about 2/5 inch in diameter. Take 20 feet of 1/4-inch soft copper tubing and wrap it into five coils 5 inches in diameter, followed by 15 coils 3 inches in diameter. You should be left with about 8 inches of tubing. Run both ends of the coil through the lid ventilation holes and bend them upwards. Insert the coil and charcoal into the gallon paint can, placing the coil on the mesh platform and filling the space around and inside the coil with charcoal briquettes. Close the lid tightly.

Drill tubing holes in the quart paint can. In the centre of the lid, drill a hole 2/5 inch in diameter. On the side of the can, drill two more holes: one near the base and one above it near the lid. Insert corked plastic tubing into the holes on the side of the quart can. Use the ends of the copper tubing to bore holes in the centre of two corks. Insert one 10-inch piece of hard plastic tubing into one cork and one 4-inch piece into the other. Secure the tubing in each cork with hose clamps.

Place the quart can above the gallon can, with the corked tubing facing away from the ventilation holes. Secure the tubing with metallic tape. Insert copper tubing through a junction box. Remove the centre portion of a circular metallic electrical junction box and secure an electrical cable clamp with a retaining ring inside. Insert a 6-inch copper pipe with a 1/2-inch diameter through the cable clamp connector so that the tubing protrudes a few centimetres below the hole in the junction box. Blunt the edges of this end inward with a hammer and insert it into the hole in the lid of the quart can.

Take a standard wooden barbecue skewer and insert it into one end of a 3/5-inch hollow wooden dowel rod. Place the dowel rod and skewer inside the copper pipe in the metal junction box so that the skewer points up. Prepare the engine for operation by removing the junction box assembly and filling the quart can with water, allowing it to drain into the copper coil. Check all connectors for leaks and ensure all seals are tight. Secure the lids of both cans by tapping them with a hammer and replace the junction box.

Crumple up pieces of newspaper and place them in the space enclosed by the mesh at the bottom of the engine. Allow the charcoal to burn for about 20-30 minutes. As the charcoal heats the water in the coil, steam will build up in the quart can. When this steam reaches sufficient pressure, it will push the dowel and skewer piston upwards.

Steam Engine from a Lawn Mower

For a low-cost steam engine, you will need a 4-cycle lawnmower engine, a grinder, and someone with a welder. Remove the carburettor and ignition and cut the fins off the cylinder to reduce condensation. Leave the spark plug to plug the hole. Take the camshaft out and have someone weld two lobes 180 degrees opposite the originals. Decide which port will be the intake and turn the engine in that direction until the piston comes up to about 1/8 inch before the top of the stroke. Replace the camshaft with the original cam for your intake valve. Grind the cams as needed to ensure they clear all the way around.

Steam-Propelled Boat

This pop-pop steam-propelled boat is a great project for children aged 6 and above, under adult supervision. You will need a brass or copper tube, a narrow aluminium cake baking form, a binder clip, a small aluminium cup, and double-sided adhesive tape. First, make a bending tool by taking a sturdy cylinder shape and a piece of scrap wood. Put the cylinder shape and a short screw near one end of the wood, with a gap between them equal to the diameter of the brass or copper tube. Attach the cylinder shape firmly with a long screw from the back. Mark a line on the wood 9.5 cm from the cylinder as the "starting position" for the bending.

Put the brass or copper tube in the tool with one end sticking out 9.5 cm. Slide a sturdy tube over the other end as a bending aid. Using the piece of wood and the tube as levers, bend the brass or copper tube around the cylinder. Make four windings, then remove the aid and slide it over the other end of the tube, bending it 45 degrees. Turn the coil

How to make a boat float

Making a boat float is a fun and educational activity for children. Here is a simple guide on how to make a boat float, with a focus on the "how does steam push a boat" concept for a kinder lesson.

Materials Needed:

• A brick of wood
• A candle
• A metal pipe
• A tea light candle
• Water
• A basin or tub of water for testing
• Optional: Rudder made from a thin piece of plastic or metal

Step 1: Marking the Wooden Brick

Place the wooden brick on a level surface and use a pencil to mark where the metal pipe will sit. Draw a rectangle that is roughly the length of the metal pipe and wide enough for a snug fit.

Step 2: Cutting and Shaping the Wood

Carefully cut and shape the marked area on the wooden brick with a wood-cutting tool. Ensure the depth is enough to accommodate the metal pipe without it protruding too much. Smooth any sharp edges with sandpaper or a smaller cutting tool to avoid splinters and create a neat finish.

Step 3: Drilling a Hole for the Candle

Turn the wooden brick to the side opposite the pipe slot. Choose a drill bit that matches the diameter of your tea light candle. Drill a hole midway into the brick; this will be the candle holder, so ensure it is deep enough to hold the candle securely but not too deep that it restricts oxygen and extinguishes the flame.

Step 4: Inserting the Metal Pipe

Insert the metal pipe into the carved slot on the wooden brick. It should fit tightly; if it is too loose, you can wrap tape around the pipe to make it fit snugly. Position the pipe to lean slightly upward at the open end. This will ensure proper steam direction when the boat is running.

Step 5: Setting the Candle

Drill a hole on the side of the wooden brick and insert the tea light candle. Ensure the candle is secure and straight. You can use small pieces of wood or aluminium foil to cushion any extra space around the candle, keeping it firmly in place.

Step 6: Testing Your Boat

Now it's time to test your floating boat! Wet the metal pipe completely with water. Light the candle to heat the water inside the pipe. As steam starts to build, place your boat on the water surface and watch it move!

Optional: Advanced Modifications and Experimentation

You can further explore and experiment with your steam-powered boat by trying out different modifications. Here are some ideas:

• Increase steam production by using a larger candle or adding an additional candle.
• Experiment with different pipe materials such as copper, brass, or aluminium, as these have varying thermal conductivity properties.
• Add control features like a rudder or keel to improve the boat's stability and steering.
• Adjust the water capacity in the pipe to find the ideal balance for steam production and candle burning.

By making a steam-powered boat, children can learn about physics, engineering, and the basic principles of how boats work. Remember to always supervise children closely when working with elements like candles and cutting tools. Now you have a floating boat!

How to make a boat move

Making a boat move can be a fun and educational project for children, especially when incorporating steam power. Here is a detailed guide on how to make a boat move using steam power:

Materials and Tools:

• A brass or copper tube with specific dimensions (length, outer and inner diameter)
• Aluminium items: a narrow cake baking form, a small cup, and foil
• A binder clip
• Double-sided adhesive tape
• Wooden items: a sturdy cylinder shape, a scrap wood block, and screws
• Fuel source: Esbit tablets or candles
• Water
• Fire/Heat source
• Safety equipment: pliers/tweezer and gloves

Steps to Make the Boat Move:

Step 1: Assemble the Materials

Gather all the required materials and tools, ensuring you have a safe workspace, especially due to the use of fire and hot materials.

Step 2: Prepare the Bending Tool

Create a bending tool by fixing a sturdy cylinder shape (e.g. a wooden dowel) onto a scrap wood block with screws. This tool will be used to coil the brass or copper tube without collapsing or flattening it.

Step 3: Coil the Brass/Copper Tube

Insert the tube into the bending tool and carefully bend it around the cylinder, ensuring the ends remain parallel. This coiling process creates the steam engine's boiler.

Step 4: Assemble the Boat

Place the coiled tube into the folded end of the aluminium baking form, which serves as the boat's hull. Secure the tube with the binder clip and ensure the openings face vertically for easier fuel charging and lighting.

Step 5: Prepare the Fuel and Water

For fuel, use either Esbit tablets or candles. Place the fuel source in a small aluminium cup or foil holder underneath the coiled tube. Fill the tube with water, ensuring it is completely full.

Step 6: Power Test the Engine

Light the fuel source and observe the steam engine in action. You may need to prime the engine by sloshing water inside initially. Ensure the flame heats both coils evenly for optimal performance.

Step 7: Test the Boat in Water

Place the boat in a body of water, such as a bathtub, basin, or small pond. Observe the boat as it moves across the water's surface, propelled by the steam escaping from the tube.

Additional Tips:

• Ensure adult supervision when working with young children on this project.
• Emphasise safety precautions, especially when handling fire and hot materials.
• Test the boat in a wind-free environment to avoid issues with keeping the candle lit.
• Experiment with different pipe materials (e.g. copper, brass, or aluminium) to observe how they affect the boat's performance.
• Decorate the boat with artistic elements, turning it into a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) project.

Frequently asked questions