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Topic: 5D Changing state
The British kettle car has successfully smashed the 100 year old record for fastest steam-powered vehicle. The car hit an average speed of 139.843mph over two runs at Edward's Air Force Base in California. The British Steam Car Challenge was driven by Charles Burnett III and broke 150mph for its fastest trip over a measured mile. The BSCC car's boilers can produce steam at a rate fast enough to make 23 cups of tea a second. The car took 2.5 miles to reach its record speed, and two miles to stop with a parachute.
In this activity children will investigate the process of evaporation by designing an investigation that can be done in the classroom or playground.
You will need Acrobat
Reader installed to open the activity sheets.
You will also need the latest version of the flash player to be able to play swf files.
· to identify the process that takes place when water changes to a gas, as evaporation
Children will demonstrate this by completing the task on page 2 successfully
· discuss examples of evaporation they encounter in their everyday lives
Children will demonstrate this by completing the task on page 2 successfully
· to suggest an experiment they could plan to show the ‘disappearance' of water
Children will demonstrate this by completing the task on page 3 successfully
Science:
QCA Unit 5D: Changing state
· that evaporation is when a liquid turns to a gas
· to explain 'disappearance' of water in a range of situations as evaporation
Scientific enquiry
· ask questions that can be investigated scientifically and decide how to find answers
· think about what might happen or try things out when deciding what to do, what kind of evidence to collect, and what equipment and materials to use
· use simple equipment and materials appropriately and take action to control risks
Literacy (speaking and literacy)
· extend their ideas in light of discussion
· be able to put forward a point of view
Introducing the activity
· Display Page 1 through a projector or as an OHT. Discuss the images with the children.
- How does the car work?
- What problems might there be?
- What other vehicles have used steam power in the past? (eg steam engines - Thomas the tank!)
Leading the main activity
· Display Page 2 through a data projector or on an OHT. Introduce the topic of water evaporation.
- What happens to puddles in the playground?
- What happens to washing when it's hung out to dry?
- Can you think of any other examples of evaporation?
- What happens when you turn a kettle on?
- What do you think would eventually happen if I boiled a small amount of water in a saucepan?
Possible practical investigations
Heat water in a pan and discuss the steam produced, the water level and the connection between evaporation and heating.
Have they heard the expression ‘boiling something dry'?
Boil a kettle - discuss the steam produced - what is it? Discuss what would happen if you kept boiling the kettle.
· Display Page 3
Children are to work in pairs to design an experiment which they could conduct in the playground or classroom to demonstrate evaporation.
YouTube
YouTube video showing a steam powered pop pop toy tin boat with clear explanation of how it works
Science Toymaker
This has a detailed explanation of how to make a pop pop, put put boat
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