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Duck Reach Engineering Challenges

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Duck Reach Engineering Challenges

You are a junior engineer investigating how forces and motion help a hydroelectric power station work. Read the information, study the flow diagram, then solve the challenges. Use evidence from the page and your science knowledge.

How moving water makes electricity

Duck Reach Power Station in Launceston, Tasmania, began generating electricity in 1895. It used water from the South Esk River. Water moving downhill has energy of motion. In a hydroelectric system, flowing water pushes turbine blades, making the turbine spin. The spinning turbine turns a generator, which produces electricity. Engineers must manage forces from water pressure, moving machinery and gravity, while also considering people, cost and the environment.

Flowing water moves downhill

Water pushes turbine blades

The turbine turns a generator

Engineering challenge cards

For each situation, think about the force involved and how an engineer could respond.

1.Which energy transfer happens when flowing river water pushes a turbine?

Electrical energy changes into sound energy.
Moving water transfers energy to the turbine, making it spin.
The turbine creates water from electricity.
Gravity stops the water from moving.

2.The river flow becomes faster after heavy rain. What is likely to happen to the force of the water pushing the turbine, and why?

3.A turbine is not turning even though water reaches it. Name one part of the system an engineer could inspect and explain what they would check.

4.Match each engineering consideration to the best description.

Community needs
Environment
Cost
Location

Possible effects on river habitats and wildlife
Where the station can be built and how water reaches it
How the project meets people’s requirements
Money needed to build and maintain the system

5.An engineer adds a screen to stop branches entering the water channel. What force or motion problem might this reduce?

6.A water channel is made narrower while the same amount of water flows through it. Predict what may happen to the water’s speed and describe one possible effect on the turbine.

7.True or false: Gravity helps water move downhill towards a hydroelectric turbine.

TrueFalse

8.Engineers want to protect river wildlife but also need reliable electricity for the community. Give one design action that could help balance these needs.

9.A team tests two turbine blade designs using the same water flow. Design A turns 8 times in 10 seconds; Design B turns 12 times in 10 seconds. Which design turns faster, and what should the team test next before choosing it?

10.Sketch an improvement for a small hydroelectric system that uses moving water safely. Label the water’s direction, the turbine and one feature that helps protect people or wildlife. Then explain how your feature helps.