Week 1 - Fluids in Technological Devices

3. Uses of Fluids

Lesson 3: Uses of Fluids

Textbook Readings

ScienceFocus 8
Pages 4 to 12
or
Science in Action 8
Pages 14 to 17

In Lesson 2, you identified the properties of fluids. In Lesson 3, you will investigate some ways that we use fluids.
Background Information Fluids are important because they make it easier to transport, process, and use different materials even if these materials are solids. The following activities will give you a better understanding of the importance of fluids by investigating slurries , lubricants , the manufacturing of an aluminum pop can, and ketchup. A slurry is a mixture of water and solids. The water is used to transport the solids over a long distance. Slurries have been used in the gold mining industry for more than a hundred years.

Experiment Time: Panning for Gold

Obtain some fine copper beebee pellets or small ball-bearings from your local hardware store. Mix 50 mL of the "gold" with approximately 2 litres of course sand. Place the mixture into a bucket and add enough water to make a slurry. Use an old pie pan to scoop up a bowl of slurry and swirl it over another bucket or large pot. Do not tip the pan too far and add plain water while swirling until only the "gold" pellets remain in the bowl. Explain how a slurry makes it easier to separate the gold from the sand?

Fluids Act as Lubricants The main purpose of lubricants is to lubricate moving parts of the vehicle to reduce friction and wear and tear by providing smoothing, trouble free performance for increased length of time.

Experiment Time: Bake a Cake

Make sure you have your parent's permission before starting this activity.
Obtain a commercial cake mix from the grocery store in your area. Follow the instructions on the package and bake the cake. As you are enjoying the results of your investigation, make notes on the importance of fluids in the process.

Exercise 1.3: Summary Assignment