4F30.01-Hero’s Engine

Video: Watch this demo

Instructor’s video

Description: This demonstration uses a hero’s engine to illustrate that with increased temperature and constant volume,
the increase in pressure causes the steam to escape.

Equipment:

• Hero’s Engine apparatus
• Bunsen burner
• Matches
• Long pole and short rod
• Table clamp and S clamp

Setup Procedure:

1. Setup the rods as shown in the picture.
2. Put a thin layer of water in the hero’s engine.
3. Place the hero’s engine on the top rod.
4. Connect the Bunsen burner to the gas valve and position directly below the hero’s engine.
5. Test to make sure it works.
6. When the professor is finished, use caution as the equipment may still be hot.

Demonstration Procedure:

1. Turn on the gas valve and light the Bunsen burner.
2. Wait a few minutes until the steam starts to come out.
3. Note that as the steam exits, it pushes on the hero’s engine to cause a torque. Thus the engine spins.
4. When finished, turn off the gas valve.

Open Flame
Keep away from flammable materials.
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