How to Make a Simple Steam Engine Car

Materials

• A small metal box (such as a tin can)
• A candle
• A metal rod (such as a coat hanger)
• A piece of rubber tubing
• A wheel (such as a toy car wheel)
• A small piece of wood

Instructions

1. Use a sharp knife to cut a hole in the bottom of the metal box. The hole should be big enough for the metal rod to fit through.
2. Insert the metal rod through the hole in the bottom of the metal box. The rod should be long enough to extend out the top of the box by about 2 inches.
3. Bend the top of the metal rod into a hook. The hook should be large enough to hold the candle.
4. Attach the piece of rubber tubing to the bottom of the metal box. The rubber tubing should be long enough to reach the wheel.
5. Attach the wheel to the end of the rubber tubing.
6. Place the candle in the hook on the top of the metal rod.
7. Light the candle.

How It Works

The candle heats the metal box, which turns the water inside the box into steam. The steam expands, pushing against the top of the metal box. This pressure forces the metal rod to move up and down. The up-and-down motion of the metal rod turns the wheel, which propels the car forward.

Tips

* Use a small candle so that the metal box doesn’t get too hot.
* Make sure that the rubber tubing is securely attached to the metal box and the wheel.
* If the car doesn’t move, try adding more water to the metal box.
* You can also experiment with different sizes and shapes of metal boxes and candles.

Troubleshooting

* If the car doesn’t move, check to make sure that the candle is lit and that the rubber tubing is securely attached to the metal box and the wheel.
* If the car moves too slowly, try adding more water to the metal box.
* If the car moves too fast, try using a smaller candle.

Conclusion

Building a simple steam engine car is a fun and educational project that can teach you about the basics of steam engines. With a little bit of creativity, you can make a car that is both fast and efficient.