Apply the Science

Make Archimedes Proud

These workers are going to build an Archimedes’ screw.

You can, too!

What you'll need:

- two bowls

- a plastic pipe

- clear, plastic tubing

- packing tape

- water

- food coloring

1

Wrap the plastic tubing around the plastic pipe. The tubing should form three to five spirals like the threads of a screw.

2

Tape the tubing in place. Each end should stick out from the plastic pipe a little bit.

3

Place the two bowls near each other. Fill the first with water. Add a couple drops of food coloring to the water.

4

Tilt the plastic pipe so that one end of the tubing is below the surface of the water.

5

Turn the plastic pipe as you keep it tilted. Watch the water climb up the tubing! Keep turning as the water climbs and pours from the tubing into the second bowl.

Was Archimedes right?