Science Fair again. Will it work?

CaryW · 02-14-2006, 12:08 PM

OK, dear old dad does not have much faith in my sons project. He is making a steam boat. In pre-production testing late last nite I did generate a fair amount of steam but I am not sure it is going to propel the boat.

Plan 4" wide balsa plank 1/4" thick. Will cut to length depending on how well it floats.

2 tea lite candles sitting on balsa under a glass test tube half full of water with cork. Small hole in cork. This will be like a piggy back jet for propulsion. I am not sure it will generate enough to move the boat.

I just googled and a "put-put" boat is the same theory but it shoots the steam out under the waterline. The water would seem to have lots more resistance to the steam, therefore providing more propulsion.

Is this damn thing gonna work or are we in for some late night renovations?

Oh yeah, parents. If you live in a small town explain to your kids that balsa sheets are not a common thing and it will piss your dad off to have to drive an hour each way and spend 20.00 in gas for a $3.00 sheet of wood.

And of course it is DUE TOMORROW

pkhart · 02-14-2006, 12:10 PM

shoulda just used a foam cooler,

i think the tube under hte water will work better.

P.K.

MattS · 02-14-2006, 12:14 PM

If you build a boat as good as you post you will be the first person to sink a balsa boat.

CaryW · 02-14-2006, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MattS

If you build a boat as good as you post you will be the first person to sink a balsa boat.

Sheet, the first 2 were foreplay.

Binford · 02-14-2006, 12:27 PM

I agree, run a plastic flex tube out the cork to the back of the boat and under water. That should get you moving.

Myanarchy · 02-14-2006, 01:06 PM

Just build something tried and true like a meth lab

WindRider · 02-14-2006, 01:42 PM

Do NOT use a glass test tube if you run the tube out under the water line. When it blows all of the steam out of the tube it will then suck COLD water back into the tube and bang! Test tube all over the room.

That said, I do not think it will produce enough thrust in air to drive the boat very well.

Pazuzu · 02-14-2006, 06:01 PM

Just remember...

part of experimentation is trials and failures. If the boat doesn't work, have your son write a page about what he wanted to happen, why he thought his attempt would work, what he thinks went wrong, and how he would change things next time.

Even if he doesn't win a ribbon, he learned what he needed to.

7.62FMJ · 02-14-2006, 06:05 PM

Heh...I cant believe this. I did this same experiment for my 9th grade science fair. I used copper pipe however with a hole drilled in one end. It moved along pretty fast too...

Sorry I dont remember much else....its been a long time

02-14-2006, 12:08 PM	#1
CaryW WALKING AMOK Join Date: Aug 2003 Member # 22104 Location: Northeast Texas Posts: 617	Science Fair again. Will it work? OK, dear old dad does not have much faith in my sons project. He is making a steam boat. In pre-production testing late last nite I did generate a fair amount of steam but I am not sure it is going to propel the boat. Plan 4" wide balsa plank 1/4" thick. Will cut to length depending on how well it floats. 2 tea lite candles sitting on balsa under a glass test tube half full of water with cork. Small hole in cork. This will be like a piggy back jet for propulsion. I am not sure it will generate enough to move the boat. I just googled and a "put-put" boat is the same theory but it shoots the steam out under the waterline. The water would seem to have lots more resistance to the steam, therefore providing more propulsion. Is this damn thing gonna work or are we in for some late night renovations? Oh yeah, parents. If you live in a small town explain to your kids that balsa sheets are not a common thing and it will piss your dad off to have to drive an hour each way and spend 20.00 in gas for a $3.00 sheet of wood. And of course it is DUE TOMORROW

02-14-2006, 12:27 PM	#5
Binford Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Member # 34249 Location: Anna Texas Posts: 9	I agree, run a plastic flex tube out the cork to the back of the boat and under water. That should get you moving. __________________ Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy

02-14-2006, 01:06 PM	#6
Myanarchy Zeus of the Sluice Join Date: Oct 2002 Member # 14059 Location: Memphrica Posts: 4,762	Just build something tried and true like a meth lab __________________ "free 71PA_Highboy!"

02-14-2006, 01:42 PM	#7
WindRider Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Member # 17366 Location: Sacramento, Ca Posts: 148	Do NOT use a glass test tube if you run the tube out under the water line. When it blows all of the steam out of the tube it will then suck COLD water back into the tube and bang! Test tube all over the room. That said, I do not think it will produce enough thrust in air to drive the boat very well. __________________ There are no problems that can not be solved with the proper application of high explosives.

02-14-2006, 06:05 PM	#9
7.62FMJ Loner Join Date: Feb 2006 Member # 66780 Location: Roanoke, VA Posts: 539	Heh...I cant believe this. I did this same experiment for my 9th grade science fair. I used copper pipe however with a hole drilled in one end. It moved along pretty fast too... Sorry I dont remember much else....its been a long time __________________ 1985 'Yota -- For offroad and stuff

02-14-2006, 12:10 PM	#2
pkhart Wheeler Join Date: Jun 2001 Member # 5199 Location: ca Posts: 303	shoulda just used a foam cooler, i think the tube under hte water will work better. P.K.

02-14-2006, 12:14 PM	#3
MattS Pirate4x4 Addict! Join Date: Mar 2000 Member # 386 Location: Omaha, NE USA Posts: 13,994	If you build a boat as good as you post you will be the first person to sink a balsa boat.

02-14-2006, 06:01 PM	#8
Pazuzu Zeus of the Sluice Join Date: Feb 2000 Member # 54 Posts: 4,854	Just remember... part of experimentation is trials and failures. If the boat doesn't work, have your son write a page about what he wanted to happen, why he thought his attempt would work, what he thinks went wrong, and how he would change things next time. Even if he doesn't win a ribbon, he learned what he needed to.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode