Power Up key objects
Wind turbine
What is it?
This mini turbine generates electricity from wind for your own
home. It was produced commercially in 2004, by the Edinburgh based
company Renewable Devices.
Background information
A small wind turbine for generating electricity using wind power.
Wind power is a source of renewable or sustainable energy, unlike
oil, coal and natural gas.
However, wind turbines do have to be sited in windy areas and as
a result cannot replace coal etc. in every situation. Some primary
schools in Fife are taking part in a wind power pilot project,
using turbines like this one to provide power for their school.
Boulton and Watt steam engine
What is it?
This engine was built in 1786 from a design by Scots-born James
Watt. It was used to pump water and grind barley at a brewery in
London until 1884.
Background information
The Boulton & Watt engine was built in England during the
Industrial Revolution. It is one of the steam engines that had a
pivotal role in the development of the modern world.
James Watt did not invent the steam engine, but made several
innovations that improved their efficiency making them useful to a
wide range of applications including early locomotives, steam boats
and factories.
Early steam engines pumped steam into a cylindrical chamber
which moved the piston up. The steam in the chamber was then
condensed creating a vacuum and lowering the piston. To condense
the steam, a small spray of water was introduced into the chamber
but this also lowered the temperature of the cylinder. Therefore
when the next charge of steam was introduced to the chamber, some
of the steam condensed and it took time to warm the chamber back up
to boiling temperatures.
Watt improved the efficiency by introducing a second chamber. To
move the piston up, steam was introduced in the main chamber
containing the piston. When the piston reached the top of the
chamber, the valve on the line introducing the steam was closed and
the valve on the line to the second cylindrical chamber was opened.
The steam rushes from the first chamber into the second chamber
which contains a cold water spray condensing the steam.
This movement of steam and condensation creates a vacuum in the
first chamber lowering the piston. The valve is then closed on the
second chamber and opened on the first chamber introducing the next
charge of steam into the first chamber raising the piston. The
movement (kinetic energy) of the piston is used to turn wheels or
drive machinery.
Power Up key interactives
Generate
What is it?
Can you power up a radio? A television? Turn a hand cycle to see
how many household items you can get working.
What happens if someone else joins in to help?
Background Information
Moving (kinetic)
energy can be converted into electricity using a generator. A
generator produces electricity by moving electrically conducting
wire through a magnetic field (or vice versa).
In the case of this interactive the movement is produced by
turning the wheels, and the energy to do this comes from the food
you eat.
Even power stations generate their electricity this way –
although the way they produce the kinetic energy varies depending
on the type of power station.
The first appliance to operate is the one that uses least energy
– which corresponds to the least amount of kinetic energy (turning
of the wheels).
Learning outcomes
- Electricity can be generated from kinetic energy. An idea of
the relative amounts of electricity various household appliances
need.
Lift yourself
What is it?
Explore different ways of
lifting your own body weight with this whole body mechanical
interactive. See if your own muscle power is as effective as simple
or multiple pulleys.
Background information
Human beings
harness energy for their own use. Humans get their energy from the
food they eat and convert it into other energy forms. When you are
lifting the chair your energy is converted into kinetic energy.
This is the energy the chair has due to the speed it is moving
upwards. When the chair is at the top the kinetic energy used to
move the chair is converted into potential energy.
This is the energy that is stored in the chair due its position
- in this case the height from the floor.
The chair that uses pure muscle power to lift it is the hardest.
The force used to lift the chair must be greater than the load
(person sitting on the chair) to move it. The chair with the simple
pulley is easier to lift.
Although the force pulling on the rope must be greater than the
load, the pulley allows the direction of the force that is moving
the load to change. In this case instead of applying the force
upwards (lifting up the chair) the force can be applied downwards
(pulling down on the rope).
The chair with more than one pulley is the easiest to lift. For
example, if two pulleys are used the force required to lift the
chair is halved. This is because work done is equal to force x
distance. Using the pulleys means the rope travels double the
distance of the chair and the force (effort required to lift the
chair) is halved.
Learning outcomes
- We can use combinations of pulleys to make work such as lifting
easier.
- Older visitors (11+) should appreciate that this is made
possible by an understanding of physics and engineering.
World Energy: You're in charge!
What is it?
In this computer interactive you can be the new Energy Minister of
Lectraland. Your challenge is to generate enough energy to meet
demands with a limited budget.
You will have to decide where to put new power plants and
justify decisions that you have made. Be careful your decisions
will mean either you get fired or keep your job.
Background information
With the
development of new technologies that mainly rely on electricity,
the energy needs of the planet are growing. Humans have developed
different ways of producing energy to meet these needs. However,
the different ways of generating energy each have their pros and
cons. In the past energy was mainly generated from fossil fuels
such as coal, gas and oil.
These fuels are not renewable; they were created over millions
of years and will run out one day. Early alternatives to these
fuels were hydro, nuclear and solar energy. Newer alternatives
include harnessing wind and wave energy.
Disadvantages of burning fossil fuels for energy include the
production of carbon dioxide gas which scientists believe cause
pollution and global warming.
One of the disadvantages of nuclear energy is what to do with
the nuclear material after it has been used. One of the main
objections to the wind and wave energy is their visual impact on
the landscape, and of course you need to find an area with strong
winds and powerful waves in which to put them.
Decisions on which method of generating energy to select are
based on many factors, including environmental issues.
Learning outcomes
- There are lots of different solutions to the problem of the
planet's growing energy needs; we can use fossil fuels such as coal
and gas or renewable energies like wind and wave power.
- All the options have pros and cons there is no one 'fits-all'
solution. Our decisions about which types of energy have to based
on a wide variety of circumstances, economics, public opinion,
etc.
Wind power
What is it?
Explore how an air flow can turn a wind turbine / windmill model.
Make the sails go round and see how much electricity you can
generate.
Background information
People have used
windmills for centuries. Evidence suggests they have been used in
the UK since the 12th century. Originally they were used to grind
grain. The movement (kinetic energy) of the sails was used to turn
the grinding wheels.
A modern use for windmills or wind turbines is to generate
electricity. Wind turns the sails of the turbine/windmill and this
moving (kinetic) energy is converted into electricity by a
generator.
Learning outcomes
- Younger visitors can learn the relationship between wind
blowing and a windmill or wind turbine turning.