science matters water power

[...]... about water power? • Libraries have many interesting books about water power • Science centers and museums are great places to learn about water power • The Internet offers some great Web sites dedicated to water power Where can I find a good reference Web site to learn more about water power? Encarta Homepage www.encarta.com • Type any water power- related term into the search engine Some terms to try include... "dam." How can I find out more about water power and hydroelectricity? Water Science for Schools http://ga .water. usgs.gov/edu •This United States Geological Survey Web site offers pictures, data, and maps It even has an interactive center where you can test your water knowledge Science in Action Build a Waterwheel You can build your own waterwheel to see the power of water in action You will need: • a... chart below lists some of the advantages and disadvantages of water power Can you think of other points to add? Do you think using water to create electricity is a good idea or a bad idea? Why? Advantages • Hydropower is cheaper to create than power from fossil fuels • Water power does not cause pollution • The electric energy created by water power can be used immediately Disadvantages • Dams are expensive... Try pouring the water from higher and lower levels Does the level change how the waterwheel spins? hat Have You Learned? Name two ways in which water moves What causes a waterwheel to move? What is another name for water power? What stores water behind a dam? What is the most efficient way to create electricity 'n the United States? í Which country is the number one producer of water power? What machines... and mills Waterwheels did not work well in nriountain creeks; ¡ ¡ ! While watching a waterwheel, LeSter Peltori saw a bar called a shaft slip He saw that the wheel spun faster when water hit the edge of the wheel than when it hit the center Lester Peiton created a new, more efficient design for a water turbine after seeing thisJ Surfing Water Science How can I find more information about water power? ... to provide water, and to create electricity Dams are built of concrete that is reinforced with steel Most dams are built in a curved shape This provides a much stronger structure against the water currents As water collects behind a dam, the energy level in the water builds When the water is released, the flowing water gains speed The flowing water passes through turbines that change the water' s energy... normal ,, ,i i, i ,, , ; Storing Power Reservoirs store water for creating electricity They are found behind dams A reservoir is like an artificial lake The deeper the water in the reservoir, the more power can be produced Water can be directed back into the reservoir to be reused Reservoirs also supply drinking water People can fish in reservoirs They can even be used for water sports such as kayaking... and can cause flooding • Turbines can hurt animals in the water Tidal Power The energy in tides can be used to create electricity Tidal power is created using a huge dam built across a river estuary The tidal waters flow through tunnels in the dam The water then passes through turbines to create electricity Tidal power stations can only create power when the tide is flowing in or out This happens for... a large cup • water • a sink or large bowl 1 2 3 4 5 6 Poke the skewer through the center of the ball Wiggle the skewer until the ball easily spins around it Place the plastic spoons evenly in a row around the ball Make sure the scoops all face up Fill the cup with water Hold the ball by the skewer over the sink or bowl Raise the cup of water as high as you can Pour the water over your waterwheel What... Tidal water builds up in estuaries When water is released from the estuary, the turbines move, creating electricity A Life of Science Lester Allan Pelton Lester Allan Pelton lived in Caiifornia in 1849 Gold had been discovered in California, and many people had moved there Pelton worked as a carpenter and millwright.The gold mining industry was growing fast, so there was great demand for new ways to power . to use water power. Waterwheels often powered mills and factories. Waterwheels need moving water, so they are built on rivers and streams. Flowing water strikes the wheel's blades in the water. The. find more information about water power? • Libraries have many interesting books about water power. • Science centers and museums are great places to learn about water power. • The Internet offers. wheel's blades in the water. The water pushes the blades, causing the wheel to turn.The spinning waterwheel powers machines. Power from a waterwheel is not always reliable. During winter, water often freezes.