Hero of Alexandria Pneumatic Aeolipile Engine

45 mins Ages 10-14 Indoor

A challenging, hands-on discovery and STEM project designed for curious young minds aged 10 to 14.

Materials Needed

  • • Empty aluminum drink cans (2 units)
  • • Sturdy steel pushpin or finish nail (1 unit)
  • • Fine nylon sewing thread (50 cm)
  • • Water bucket or kitchen sink basin (1 basin)

Pro Tips

  • → Use a pushpin to poke two small holes on opposite sides of an empty soda can near the bottom.
  • → Angle both holes in the same tangential direction (e.g., both angled clockwise around the perimeter).
  • → Submerge the can in water to fill it, then lift it by a single top thread: escaping water jets create torque that spins the can rapidly.

Safety First

Adult supervision required if testing steam. Use the cold-water hydrostatic variant for independent student work.

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Step-by-Step Instructions

1

Step 1

Punch two small pinholes on opposite sides of an aluminum soda can, 1 cm above the bottom rim.

2

Step 2

Insert a pin into each hole and lever it sideways to point both openings tangentially in the same rotational direction.

3

Step 3

Tie a 40 cm length of thin sewing thread to the metal pull-tab on the top of the can.

4

Step 4

Submerge the can in a sink to fill it with water, lift it high by the thread, and watch the opposing water jets spin the can like a turbine.

What they are learning

Hero’s aeolipile rocket reaction mechanics Newtonian action-reaction fluid momentum Rotary steam thrust thermodynamics