Description:

• To understand correctly how a turbine (a Pelton wheel for example) works, students need to understand how jet deflection produces a force on turbine vanes.
• They also need to know how this force affects the rate of momentum flow in the jet.
• The Impact of a Jet apparatus shows students the force produced by a jet of water as it strikes a flat plate or hemispherical cup.
• They can then compare this to the momentum flow rate in the jet.
• To extend the range of investigations, the 120-Degree Conical Plate and 30- Degree Angled Plate are available separately. For use with Digital Hydraulic Bench (available separately), the equipment comprises a transparent cylinder containing a vertically tapered nozzle and a test plate.
• The cylinder is on legs and mounts on the top of the hydraulic bench.
• The nozzle, supplied by the hydraulic bench, produces a high-velocity jet of water which hits the test plate.
• The test plate connects to a weigh beam assembly with jockey weight which measures the jet force.
• A drain tube in the base of the cylinder directs water back into the hydraulic bench, allowing accurate flow rate measurement.
• All test plates are all easily interchangeable, taking only a few seconds and needing no tools.
• To perform experiments, students level the apparatus and zero the weigh beam assembly.
• They set the flow from the hydraulic bench to maximum, and measure the jet force.
• They reduce the flow from the hydraulic bench in several increments.
• At each increment they record the force of the jet on the plate and the flow rate.
• They then repeat the experiments for different test plates.
• Students compare their experimental results to those calculated from theory, working out graphs of rate of delivery of momentum against force on the plate.

Key features:

• v  Includes flat and hemispherical plates 
• Clear vessel so that students can see what is happening
• Extra (optional) angled and conical plates
• Quick and accurate force measurements
• Works with Hydraulic Bench for easy installation

Learning outcomes:

• Measurement of the impact force on a flat plate and comparison with momentum change.
• Measurement of the impact force on a hemispherical plate and comparison with momentum change.
• Measurement of the impact force on an inclined flat plate (available separately) and comparison with momentum change       
• Measurement of the impact force on a conical plate (available separately) and comparison with momentum change