DATE:NAME:CLASS:
BLM 4-2
SKILL BUILDER
/The Changing Face of the Steam Engine
GoalDevelop a detailed understanding of some steps in the evolution of the steam engine.What to Do
Working in groups of three or four, discuss each question below. Ensure that all group members participate equally in the discussion. When the group agrees on an answer, write the answer in the space below the question. Each student should write his or her own answer.
1. Study Figure 4.1 in your SCIENCEFOCUS 10 textbook. Trace and describe the path of the steam in Hero’s steam engine from the time the steam formed in the kettle until it left the engine. Explain why the steam caused the ball to spin.
2. Make a simplified diagram of Savery’s steam engine (Figure 4.2 in your textbook) in the space below. Use three different colours of pens or pencils to draw arrows representing the three major steps in the cycle of the engine. Use the same colour as the arrow in each step to write a sentence describing what is happening in the step.
DATE:NAME:CLASS:
BLM 4-2
/The Changing Face of the Steam Engine (continued)
SKILL BUILDER
3. At what step in the cycle of Savery’s engine did atmospheric pressure push water up from the mine?
4. At what step(s) in the cycle of Savery’s engine did steam pressure push water up and away from the mine?
5. In Newcomen’s steam engine (Figure 4.3 in your textbook), the piston moves when the pressures above and below it are different.
(a) At what stage of the cycle is the pressure below the piston greater than the pressure above it? What is creating the excess pressure?
(b) At what stage of the cycle is the pressure above the piston greater than the pressure below it? What is creating the higher pressure?
DATE:NAME:CLASS:
BLM 4-2
/The Changing Face of the Steam Engine (continued)
SKILL BUILDER
6. What is the function of the cold water in Newcomen’s steam engine?
7. Watt’s steam engine is sometimes called a “double-acting” engine. What is acting twice during one cycle?
8. What is the purpose of the valve in Watt’s steam engine?
9. What reduces wear and tear on the piston in Watt’s steam engine?
10. How did Watt adapt his steam engine to perform tasks other than pumping water out of mines?
DATE:NAME:CLASS:
BLM 4-2
/The Changing Face of the Steam Engine (continued)
SKILL BUILDER
Extend Your Skills
11. Hero of Alexandria sketched nearly 80 different inventions and described how they worked. Many of these sketches are shown on the Internet. Find some of Hero's inventions, and study two or three that used steam. Write a description of how these inventions worked.
12. One problem with Newcomen’s engine was the heating and cooling of the piston in every cycle. Find out what happens to metals when they are heated and cooled. Why does heating and cooling cause excess wear and tear on a machine? Find an example of another machine or device that is exposed to frequent heating and cooling. How is the machine or device designed to reduce wear and tear?
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