Motion, Engines, and Motors

Summary
This lesson introduces students to engines in motion.

Objectives
• To be able to list several different types of engines.

• To be able to explain how certain engines operate.

Suggested Grades
3rd Grade
4th Grade
5th Grade

Excerpt
James Watt, a Scottish inventor, developed an efficient steam engine in the 18th century. Steam is created when water is turned into gas or vapor. Steam expands the volume of water roughly 1600 times. The pressure or force caused by the expansion forms the basis for all steam engines. The pressure forces a piston to move back and forth. The piston is attached to a crankshaft. The crankshaft converts the back and forth motion of the piston into a turning motion, while propels the machine.

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