Paddle Wheel Catamaran - swims against stream

The "Paddle Wheel Catamaran" is a swimming boat which easily teaches fundamental laws of physics. With a attached cord the boat is able to swim against the stream of a river. Therefore the third Newtons law of motion of classical mechanics is illustrated:

"To every action there is always opposed an equal reaction: or the mutual actions of two bodies upon each other are always equal, and directed to contrary parts." (Isaac Newton, 1729)

Print Settings

Printer:

Flashforge Creator Pro

Rafts:

Yes

Supports:

No

Notes:

In case the scaling is messed up, try scale times 10. The Dimensions of the Paddle Wheel Catamaran are supposed to be roughly:

Lenght: 200 mm
Width: 130 mm
Height: 88 mm

How I Designed This

The "Paddle Wheel Catamaran" was designed by using Autodesk Inventor 2016.

When I was a kid my father taught me to build a boat like this using wood. Therefore the design is based on my memories.

Project: Paddle Wheel Catamaran

Overview & Background:

This project teaches the fundamental laws of mechanics. By completing this project you will understand how the boat is able to swim against the stream.

Objectives:

Students all age could learn from this project. Because of the surprisingturning point its easy to fascinate people.

Audiences:

Since the mechanical principles are easy to understand, the appropriate age is about six years. Kids in primary school should be able to learn from participating in this project.

Subjects:

physics, mechanics, engineering

Skills Learned:

By completing this porject you will gain skills about

• mechanical winches
• the behaviour of paddles in flowing water
• understanding about the Newtons 3rd law

• the shape of boats Activity:

  After printing the parts you have to drill a whole into the red highlighted part. In order to attach a cord choose a 1-2mm drill. Thread the cord through the whole and fix it with a knot. Plug the paddle to the boat frame like shown in the cover photo.

  Once assembled, hold the end of the cord and put the boat into some streamy water. First the flow moves the boat till the cord is tight. The water tries to push the boat off you. By holding the cord tight the force on the cord corresponds to Newtons 3rd law:

Newtons 3rd law: Action = Reaction

Once the cord is tight, the boat stops and the flowing water sets the paddle to rotation.
While the paddle starts rotating the cord is being wound up and therefore the boat starts moving towards you.

Duration:

Once the boat is built it would take about one lesson to complete this project.

Preparation:

students don't need any preparation.

Have Fun!

Category: Engineering