A Model Nuclear Power Plant Steam Turbine
Source Institutions
-
Thomas Alva Edison Foundation Inc.
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In this activity (on pages 20-23 of PDF), learners build a model of a power plant using simple materials. The activity specifically refers to a nuclear reactor, but it is a good model for the way a coal, oil, natural gas, or geothermal power plant works. The main difference is whether the burning can of Sterno represents Uranium breaking down (nuclear), fossil fuels burning (coal, oil natural gas), or energy from the earth's crust (geothermal). Also, in a real plant the turbine wheel is attached to a generator, and that's how electricity would be generated. [Activity is publicly available through a web crawler capture on Archive.org.]
- 5 to 10 minutes
- 45 to 60 minutes
- $1 - $5 per student
- Ages 11 - 18
- Activity, Model
- English
Quick Guide
Materials List (per student)
- A small unopened can of your favorite fruit juice
- An empty soup can
- A clean finishing nail
- A wire coat hanger
- A can of Sterno canned heat
- An eye dropper
- Two small sheet metal screws
- Tinsnips
- Hammer
Subjects
- Engineering and Technology
- Engineering
- Nuclear Engineering
- Technology
- Energy and Power
- Engineering
- Physical Sciences
- Heat and Thermodynamics
- Motion and Forces
- Machines
- The Nature of Technology
- Technology and Society
- Technology and History
- Technology and Society
Audience
To use this activity, learners need to:
- see
- touch
Learning styles supported:
- Involves hands-on or lab activities
Other
Access Rights:
- Free access
By:
- Benrey, Ronald
Rights:
- All Rights Reserved, Thomas Alva Edison Foundation, Inc., ©1976
Funding Source:
- Exxon Nuclear Company, Inc.
