S is for Screw: Archimedes Screw

A little machine science for the letter S: an Archimedes Screw. After learning a bit about the Great Thinker, Archimedes, we learned to design a simple version of his water transport that defies gravity.

 

Although we didn't have any PVC pipe hanging around as was recommended, we managed to find a straight section of tree branch that was suitable. The hardware store sold lengths of flexible tube that we wound around the branch in a spiral, holding it in place with electrical tape.

 

The goal was to move water upwards from the full container, into the empty container. It was a fantastic science experiment in that there was tons of trial and error. And finally-Eureka!