Overview and Background

I used this experiment as a science experiment in science class.
I studied the efficiency of 15˚ angle blades versus 30˚ angle blades and created, then 3D printed the parts at home with the 3D printer.

Lesson Plan and Activity

Procedure:
1) 3D print a turbine with blades at a 30˚ angle.
2) 3D print a turbine with blades at a 15˚ angle.
3) 3D print a stand for the turbines.
4) Open the “air + water power PLUS” kit by THAMES KOSMOS.
5) Follow the instructions on pages 6 and 7 on the instructions guide to assembly the hoses.
6) Attach a yellow base to a green bottle by screwing it on.
7) Attach a hose to the base by putting them together and screwing the outer part on the hose connector.
8) Attach the pump to the other end of the hose and screw it on as well.
9) Then, on the base turn the valve from its position to straight up.
10) Now, pump the hose 20 times.
11) Turn the valve down 90˚ and pull the hose connecter out of the pump.
12) Attach two 5 X 5 white connector pieces to the bottom of the base.
13) Remove the yellow connector pieces from the empty end of the hose.
14) Flip the bottle and base upside-down.
15) Thread the hose through the top middle holes of the connector struts.
16) Get the cardboard box and flip it upside-down.
17) Cut a hole in the cardboard box near the edge that’s 2.5 inches in diameter.
18) Stick the bottle bottle-first into the hole.
19) Make sure that 2 inches of the green bottle is showing.
20) Place the turbine with the 15˚ angle on the stand sideways with the end of the turbine blade 1 inch away from the nozzle on the bottle in the cardboard box.
21) Duct tape the stand in place.
22) Holding the cardboard box, flip the valve 90˚.
23) Observe how many rotations the blade made.
24) Record how many rotations the turbine made.
25) Record the work in joules as “test 15˚ turbine”
26) Repeat steps 9-27 five times.
27) Average up the data for the work
28) Record all data on a table.
29) Repeat steps 9-31 30˚ angles and record as “test 30˚ turbine”
30) Compare and contrast the two different data tables and record the difference.

Materials Needed

Materials:
1) 3D printer
2) Filament for the 3D printer
3) Computer
4) Pen
5) Paper
6) “air + water power PLUS” kit by THAMES KOSMOS
The materials you will need in the kit are:
A) Hoses and connectors
B) Pump
C) Green bottle
D) Yellow base
7) Measuring tool (ruler or yardstick)
8) Calculator
9) Duct tape
10) Knife (or scissors)
11) 3D models for the turbine and the turbine stand
12) Mason jar

Science Experiment Turbines