Data From a Previous WaterWheel Competition

 

Team

N Vanes

Radius (cm)

Thickness (cm)

Water Used (Iiters)

Weight Raised (N)

Distance Lifted (m)

Time (minutes)

PI

1

26

10

6

12.8

2.2

4.54

5

4.94

1

26

10

6

12.8

2.2

5.15

5

5.60

2

12

13.75

5.9

13.1

3.3

5

5

8.78

2

12

13.75

5.9

12.5

3.3

6.4

3.5

11.38

3

16

15

6

13.25

3.3

6.3

3.45

9.32

3

16

15

6

13.25

3.3

6.3

3.45

9.32

4

16

15

4.5

12.5

3.3

6.4

3.3

10.91

4

16

15

4.5

11

3.3

6.4

3.3

11.26

5

16

14.8

5.5

10

3.3

6.4

3.19

10.63

6

12

15

4.8

12

3.3

6.2

3.05

11.31

6

12

15

4.8

10

3.3

6.4

3.02

12.22

7

16

15

4.3

11.5

3.3

6.4

3.29

11.36

7

16

15

4.3

11

3.3

6.4

3.46

11.48

8

12

10.5

5.8

12

2.2

6.4

3.04

9.63

8

12

10.5

5.8

17.4

3.3

6.4

4.35

12.58

 

 

Performance Index (PI) = (weight raised * distance) / (cost of material, manufacturing, and water)

Costs are estimated as follows:

· Styrene foam: 0.00025 $ / cm3

· Manufacturing: 0.04 $ / vane

· Water: 0.04 $ / liter