ENGINEERING OUR ENERGY FUTURE

Transcription

1 ENGINEERING OUR ENERGY FUTURE

2 CONTENTS Introduction 3 Exercise 1: Catapult 4 Exercise 2: Hovercraft racer 7 Exercise 3: Water wheel 10 Exercise 4: Electromagnets 13 Exercise 5: Build a rollercoaster 16 Exercise 6: Build a rocket boat 18 Exercise 7: Pulleys 21 Exercise 8: Building bridges and towers 24 Exercise 9: Wind turbine 27 Exercise 10: Solar water heater 30 Exercise 11: Solar power 32 Exercise 12: Energy efficiency 34

3 INTRODUCTION What s so great about engineering anyway? Well, for a start, it will be the engineers of tomorrow who will make the decisions about the future of our energy. We use energy in our homes, schools, offices, factories, shops and streets. We use it to keep us warm and give us light when it s dark. Without it, you couldn t watch TV, cook food, play computer games, use the phone or travel around. These activities have been designed to show you the basics of engineering to hopefully open your eyes to a new and exciting topic. What is National Grid? When it comes to the UK s energy, National Grid joins everything up. We bring electricity and gas through our cables and pipes to everyone who uses them. Safety When we are delivering gas and electricity to households in the UK, safety is very important to us. Equally, we want you to be able to complete these interactive activities unharmed. Please read all the instructions carefully and take note of any hazards that have been highlighted. Some of these activities involve handling sharp objects, so please take care. Energy is important in all of our lives.

4 Understanding Energy conversion Exercise 1 CATAPULT What you need 10 ice lolly sticks Glue Drinking straw (non-flexible) 1 wooden dowel diameter smaller than straw, not shorter than stick 1 rubber band 6 8 grapes

5 Understanding Energy conversion What to do Instruction: Make a catapult 1 1. Make two uprights using three lolly sticks. 2. Connect the two uprights together with glue Tie a rubber band to the uprights leaving a loop extending upwards. 4. Cut a short piece of straw and slide over wooden dowel. 5. Attach wooden dowel across top of uprights. 6. Glue a stick to the straw. 7. Ensure the structure is sturdy with leftover equipment. 8. Launch the grapes. STEP 2 STEP STEP 3 STEP Discover more about working at National Grid 8

6 5 Understanding Energy conversion STEP 5 STEP STEP STEP 8 What you learn... l The pulling back of the elastic band converts kinetic energy into potential energy. When released, it changes back to kinetic energy. l Structural engineering is also used in building the catapult. l Can you create a catapult that will convert more energy and shoot your grape further? Where is this process used in the generation of energy? Discover more about working at National Grid

7 Understanding Energy conversion Exercise 2 HOVERCRAFT RACER What you need 1 Compact Disc (CD) 1 plastic bottle with cap 1 balloon Scissors Glue Safety note: In step 3 take care when piercing the bottle cap using a sharp implement.

8 What to do Instruction: Make a hovercraft racer Understanding Energy conversion 1. Remove bottle neck from bottle. 2. Attach balloon to bottle neck. 3. Take bottle cap and make holes in the centre of it. 4. Use glue to attach bottle top to shiny side of CD with cap centred over hole of the CD. 5. Blow up balloon, attach to cap and race! STEP 1 STEP 2 STEP 3 Discover more about working at National Grid

9 Understanding Energy conversion STEP 4 What you learn... Understand how friction slows moving objects and allows them to be controlled. See how stored potential energy is converted to kinetic energy. Find out what happens when you repeat the exercise on different surfaces. Discover what happens if you put water on the surface. STEP 5 What do machines use to reduce friction? Discover more about working at National Grid

10 Understanding Energy conversion Exercise 3 WATER WHEEL What you need 2 large plastic pop bottles A length of dowel A pack of index cards Sticky tape String Marker pen Small weight eg ball of clay Stopwatch Scissors

11 Understanding Energy conversion What to do? Instruction: Make a waterwheel 1. With a pen or marker, draw six to eight equal lines along the length of the large plastic bottle. These mark the locations where index card water catchers will be taped. 2. Fold the long edges of the index cards. STEP 1 STEP 2 Discover more about working at National Grid

12 Understanding Energy conversion 3. Mark one index card with an X so counting the number of turns is easier. Tape the index card catchers to the soda bottle at each line. Make sure each catcher faces the same direction. 4. Make a hole in the bottom of the bottle with scissors so that the dowel can be inserted through the centre of the bottle like an axle. 5. Pour water over the wheel from a full second plastic bottle. Note the time between pouring the water and when the bottle starts spinning. Continue timing while someone else counts the turns. Note the time when the water wheel slows down. 6. Fasten a string to the neck of the bottle, add an object to the string such as a ball of clay in order to show that the waterwheel can lift an object. STEP 3 What you learn... The waterwheel is a simple turbine that uses a device to move water to create kinetic energy. How can you make the water wheel more effective? STEPS 4 and 6 Where have you seen these used and what are they used for? Discover more about working at National Grid

13 Understanding Energy conversion Exercise 4 ELECTROMAGNETS What you need Each patrol should receive a safety brief before the activity. 75mm (3 inch) nail 1 insulated copper wire from a 3 amp flexible cable (approximately 60 80cm) Insulating tape Paper clips Batteries (2 AA batteries) Elastic bands Wire strippers (one per troop will suffice) Safety notice: Electromagnets can become hot. Disconnect the electromagnet from the battery at the end of each experiment. This will also avoid the battery running flat quickly.

14 Understanding Energy conversion What to do Instruction: Make electromagnets 1. Pare 15mm of insulation back from each end of the copper wire using the wire strippers. 2. Wind the copper wire tightly but neatly around the nail such that there are 15cm lengths available at each end to connect to the battery terminals. 3. Wind insulating tape on top to keep the wire wrapped tightly. You have made a solenoid! STEP 1 STEP 2 STEP 3 Discover more about working at National Grid

15 Understanding Energy conversion 4. Connect the wire to the terminals of one battery. Secure them by using an elastic band. 5. Approach the electromagnet with a metallic paper clip. As you get close to it, the electromagnet should pull the paper clip from you. How many can it pull? 6. Remove the wire from the nail and rewind it back on so that there are just 5cm lengths available to connect to the battery terminals. 7. Repeat Step 5. How many paper clips can it pull from you this time? 8. Connect two batteries in series. Attach the wires to the terminals. How many paper clips can it pull from you this time? STEP 4 STEP 5 What you learn... In these experiments, we are converting the stored electrical energy in batteries (potential energy) into motive (kinetic) energy. What happens if you add more batteries or more turns of wire? STEP 8 Where would this conversion be used in the world of engineering? Discover more about working at National Grid

16 Understanding Energy conversion Exercise 5 BUILD A ROLLERCOASTER What you need 2m tube of foam pipe insulation cut in half to make two u-shaped tracks for each group 3 glass marbles Roll of masking tape Plastic cup

17 Understanding Energy conversion What to do Instruction: Build a rollercoaster 1. The purpose is to create the fastest rollercoaster with the most loops without the marble falling out of the foam tubing. 2. Using the foam tube, masking tape and cup, build a rollercoaster using whatever is available in the room, such as tables and chairs. 3. The cup should be used to catch the marble at the end of the track. 4. Test the rollercoaster with the marbles and make amendments. 5. Time the marble going through the rollercoaster. 6. Compare group designs to see which rollercoaster is the fastest. What you learn... The marble requires sufficient potential energy to make the loops. Engineers have to design the best ways to move energy from the power stations to the home. There is new technology to consider all the time. Can you name any technological advances in energy you may have seen recently? Where is the potential energy greatest in your system? Can you name any technological advances in energy you may have seen recently?

18 Understanding Energy conversion Exercise 6 BUILD A ROCKET BOAT What you need Each patrol to receive safety brief before the activity. Plastic 35mm film pot or the container from a Kinder Egg Cardboard (such as cereal pack) Sticky tack Duct tape or double-sided tape Scissors Water Basin or sink Pin Stopwatch Paper and pen Effervescent, antacid tablets (do not hand out until required) Safety notice: Please take care when using sharp pointed tools such as pins or scissors, and be careful when using warm water as it can become hot very quickly.

19 Understanding Energy conversion What to do Instruction: Build a rocket boat 1. Take a film pot and pierce a small hole near the edge of the lid using a pin and sticky tack. The hole, or nozzle, will ensure that the water in the film pot will be propelled out by the gas generated by the chemical reaction. Take care not to stab your finger when piercing the hole by pushing the pin through the container into the sticky tack. 2. Make a cardboard fin (keel) and attach it to the film pot using duct tape or double-sided sticky pads. This will help to keep the pinhole in the water and direct the rocket boat in a straight line. When fitting the lid onto the film pot, please ensure that the hole is directly above and close to the fin. Add some sticky tack to the inside of the film pot directly above the keel. This ballast will help to keep the boat upright. STEP 1 STEP 2 Discover more about working at National Grid

20 Understanding Energy conversion 3. Place your boat in water and see if it floats upright if not, you may need to adjust the keel or the ballast. If you are handling the film pot or using the stopwatch, you must now wear safety goggles. Everyone else must stand back. 4. Pour cold water into the film pot until three-quarters full. 5. Standing by the sink or basin where you plan to launch the rocket boat, drop in half an antacid tablet (individually sealed, effervescent type), put the lid on the film pot (ensuring that the pinhole is close to the fin) DO NOT SHAKE and place it upright in the water. 6. Start your stopwatch and note the time that has elapsed when the rocket boat stops. 7. Repeat steps 4 to 6 but use warm water instead. 8. Repeat steps 4 to 6 but use a whole antacid tablet. 9. Repeat steps 4 to 6 but use a crushed antacid tablet. 10. Slightly increase the size of the pinhole, repeat steps 4 to 6, recording the new time in each case. What you learn... In this experiment, we controlled the release of the energy resulting from the chemical reaction between water and the effervescent antacid tablet. In Scouting, we often release stored energy in a controlled manner: We burn wood in a camp fire and we make catapults. Whose is the fastest? Can you think of examples in your daily life where we control a release of energy in this way? Discover more about working at National Grid

21 Exercise 7 PULLEYS Transporting our energy How does it get to your home? What you need 2 small pulleys (purchase from a hardware store, or use a cotton reel with a pencil that fits through the spool hole as an axle, allowing the spool to rotate freely around it) 1m of string (strong enough to support the object being raised) A weight to be raised by the pulley A spring scale Discover more about working at National Grid

22 Transporting our energy How does it get to your home? What to do Instruction: Pulleys 1. Weigh the object by hooking a loop of string to the hook on the spring scale and pulling the object straight up in the air. Record this value. 2. Create a fixed pulley by running the string over the pulley wheel which is supported. Ask one scout to hold the pulley still and another pull the string sideways or down. Record the force needed (measurement on the spring scale). STEP 1 STEP 2 Discover more about working at National Grid

23 Transporting our energy How does it get to your home? 3. Next, create a movable pulley by attaching the pulley to the object. If using pre-fabricated pulleys, attach with tape. If using cotton reels, attach the pulley axle to the object with tape or string, making sure the spool still rotates freely. One person holds the string in place while another lifts the object by pulling up on the spring scale string. Observe how much force is required to lift the object (spring scale measurement) and record it. 4. Create a pulley system. Run the string through one pulley (the fixed pulley) and through the other (the movable pulle, which has the object attached to it. 5. One person holds the free end of the string and the fixed pulley, while another raises the object by pulling down on the spring scale. Record the force required to lift the object (spring scale measurement) with this two-pulley system. STEP 3 What you learn... The pulley is a simple exercise that demonstrates effort and load. The pulley requires a mechanical advantage to ensure it is effective. If the effort and load are the same, there is no mechanical advantage. Why is it more difficult when there is a moving pulley? Where would you see pulleys used in today s society? Discover more about working at National Grid

24 Transporting our energy How does it get to your home? Exercise 8 BUILDING BRIDGES AND TOWERS What you need 12 disposable plastic cups 4 sheets of A5 card 1 full can (330ml) of soft drink If more coffee cups or cards are available it is possible to build a taller tower

25 What to do Instruction: Building bridges and towers 1. Take three plastic cups, turn upside down and place in a triangle. 2. Lay the card flat on the plastic cups (moving cups to suit). 3. Place can on top of cardboard for 10 seconds and see if the structure holds. 4. If the structure holds, remove can and place three more cups on top of cardboard and repeat steps 2 to Repeat process to see how high you can build the structure before it breaks. Transporting our energy How does it get to your home? STEP 1 STEP 2 Discover more about working at National Grid

26 Transporting our energy How does it get to your home? STEP 3 STEP 4 What you learn... Understand the principles of construction. As you add height and weight to a structure, it becomes increasingly unstable. Materials used have a strength limit and will eventually fail. Try other designs and materials. Are they more or less effective in supporting the object? How is electricity transported to your home? Discover more about working at National Grid

27 Future of energy Exercise 9 WIND TURBINE What you need 4 small paper cups (6 oz or less) 1 pushpin 1 sharpened pencil with an eraser on the end Stopwatch, wrist watch, clock or timer (with seconds) 2 5cm diameter ball of modelling clay Stiff corrugated cardboard (2 pieces 8cm wide by 40cm long) 1 pair of scissors 1 stapler Assortment of colour markers

28 Future of energy What to do Instruction: Make a wind turbine 1. Colour the outside of one of the cups with a marker. 2. Form the two cardboard strips so they make a cross and staple them together in the centre where the two strips join. STEP 1 STEP 2 Discover more about working at National Grid

29 Future of energy 3. Find the exact centre of the cardboard cross. You can do this by simply using a ruler and pencil to draw lines connecting diagonal corners on the centre (overlap) section of the cross. Where the pencil lines intersect will be the exact middle of the cross. 4. Staple the side of the cups to the ends of the cardboard strips, making sure the cup openings all face the same direction. 5. Push the pin through the centre of the cardboard (where the pencil lines intersect) and attach the cardboard cross to the eraser end of the pencil. 6. Gently blow on the cups to make sure the cardboard spins around freely on the pin. 7. Go outside with the partially constructed anemometers, the timer and the ball of clay. 8. Measure the wind speed outside in different places and times, using the modelling clay to anchor the wind gauges. Do this by counting the number of rotations in a minute using the coloured cup as a reference. STEP 3 What you learn... Wind turbines are used today as one form of low carbon energy. Kinetic energy in the wind turbine is converted into kinetic energy in the turbine which, when connected to a generator, produces electricity. How can you make the turbine more efficient? STEP 4 What other types of low carbon energy are available? Discover more about working at National Grid

30 Future of energy Exercise 10 SOLAR WATER HEATER What you need 30cm of aquarium tubing Cardboard tubes (toilet or paper towel rolls) Tin foil Sticky tack Glue Black paint Modelling clay Styrofoam cups Measuring cylinder Thermometer 100w desk lamp

31 Future of energy What to do Instruction: Make a solar water heater 1. Paint the aquarium tubing black. 2. Cut the cardboard tube in half to make two u-shaped halves. Line one half with tinfoil, shiny side showing, glue the two halves back to back, to make a parabolic collector. 3. Secure the tubing along the length of the tinfoil-lined reflector. 4. Put a pencil hole in the styrofoam cup 6mm up from the bottom. Insert the black tube and seal if necessary with modelling clay. Raise the cup so it is slightly above the level of the collector. Place a the lamp 3cm over the collector and another cup at the other end of the tube to collect the water that will flow through it. 5. Measure out 100ml of water, and check its temperature. 6. Pour it into the styrofoam cup and let it pass slowly through the heater, and collect it. 7. Pour it back into the first cup. 8. Record the temperature of the water every 30 seconds. What you learn... The exercise has shown that heat can be used to warm water. Where is this process used in today s society? What other forms of energy are used to heat our homes? What will be the future options? Discover more about working at National Grid

32 Future of energy Exercise 11 SOLAR POWER What you need Cleaned empty tin cans Shoe boxes Black paint Masking tape Thermometers Sand Salt Water Shredded paper

33 Future of energy What to do Instruction: Make a solar air heater 1. Paint the outside of the box black. 2. Fill four cans, one with water, one with sand, one with salt, one with shredded paper. Place them in the box. 3. Record the temperature of each can. 4. Place outside in the sun. Place the lid on the box. 5. Take the temperature of each every 30 mins. (Taking thermometer readings through small holes in the lid may make repeat measurements easier without disturbing the box too much.) What you learn... The sun can be utilised to heat materials. This can therefore be used to create a small cooker. How can we capture the sun s energy more effectively? What types of solar panels are there? Discover more about working at National Grid

34 Future of energy Exercise 12 energy efficiency How do you use energy in your home or in the scout meeting place? Energy efficiency Your carbon footprint is the amount of CO 2 that enters the atmosphere because of the electricity and fuel you use. Too much CO 2 in the air can lead to climate change (global warming). Within your home your carbon footprint is mainly dependent on how much energy you use to heat your home and the appliances that you use. How much energy do you use? How can we measure how much energy we use? 1. The gas and electricity meters installed in your home or scout meeting place measure the amount of gas and electricity used. Keep a log of your gas and electricity meter readings on a weekly basis (Activity 1). Record these over a number of weeks. By trying out some energy saving measures over this time you will be able to see the impact this has on your energy usage. 2. Try switching different appliances on and off. What happens when you switch on an electric kettle? Watch the electricity meter and see how quickly it moves round. Observe the gas and electricity meters as you turn different appliances on and off. Which ones make the meter readings change the most? Make a list of different gas and electricity appliances and see which ones increase the usage of energy the most (Activity 2). 3. Look at your energy bills. This will give you the cost per kilowatt hour (KWh) so that you can calculate the cost of the electricity and gas used. You will need an example of a gas and electricity bill to explain the way energy usage is charged. How much does energy cost? If electricity is charged at 32p per kwh, an appliance uses 3,000 kilowatts of energy and one hour of use is equal to 3kWh (number of hours usage multiplied by appliance wattage divided by 1,000). What is the cost for one hour s usage? (Activity 3) Note: Some meters may be inaccessible if the meter is too high, for example.

35 Future of energy How can you reduce the amount of energy that you use? 4. Can you think of any activities that would save energy? In your groups, take five minutes to list as many things you can think of that will save energy. (Activity 4) 5. Look at the grid (Activity 5). For each activity that wastes energy, colour it red. For each activity that saves energy, colour it green.

36 Future of energy Activity 1: Record gas and electricity meter readings. Week Date Gas reading Electricity reading

37 Future of energy Activity 2: Energy consumption Which appliances most increase our energy consumption? Place a tick in the box to indicate whether it has a high impact or a low impact. Add any additional appliances you think of in the empty boxes. Appliance High impact Low impact Electric kettle Microwave Gas oven Electric oven Lights Television Computer Hairdryer Washing machine Tumble dryer Turn up heating thermostat Fan heater Vacuum cleaner Games console

38 Future of energy Activity 3: Use this page to calculate the cost of one hour s usage.

39 Future of energy Activity 4: List all the ways you can think of to save energy in the home

40 Future of energy Activity 5: Colour all activities that WASTE energy in RED and all activities that SAVE energy in GREEN. Buy appliances with a low energy rating Leave the lights on in an empty room Take a shower instead of a bath Ensure pipes are lagged Wash clothes at high temperatures Leave doors and windows open when the heating is on Use energy saving light bulbs Only boil as much water as you need Leaving the TV on standby Leave the fridge door open Insulate the loft Leave the mobile phone charger on after it is fully charged Run the washing machine when it is only half full Install cavity wall insulation Use a draught excluder on external doors Draughty windows Install double glazing Dripping hot water tap Close the curtains at night to stop heat escaping through the windows Use a dishwasher Leave the TV on when no-one is watching it Turn the thermostat down on your heating Hang clothes outside to dry Wear warm clothes in winter Wash clothes at low temperatures Run the washing machine on a full load Fill the bath almost full Fit a hot water tank jacket Install solar panels Don t leave appliances on stand by