How To Have An Investigatory Project?

How can I turn a steam boat model into an investigatory project?

• What can I investigate on? How much water to put in the copper pipe t go this distance. How far can the steamboat go, etc. PLEASE HELP.

• Answer:

  How much you can do depends on the model & how much adjustment you can make in its operation but things you could look at:- try quantity of fuel burnt against time to raise steam & distance travelled & compare with different types of fuel, initial fuel loads, quantity of water in boiler, loads carried by boat, drop in speed or distance towing different loads (1 mini barge, 2 mini barges etc) Or you could look at combustion efficiency if model is fancy enough. Ideally you want stack outlet temperature as low as possible with appropriate steam generation (so max energy is being transferred to the boiler) s oyou can play with the burner or include restrictions in the flue to alter this.