Thames & Kosmos solar boat Assembly Manual

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EXPERIMENT MANUAL

Franckh-Kosmos Verlags- GmbH & Co. KG, Pzerstr. 5-7, 70184 Stuttgart, Germany | [phone] | www.kosmos.de
Thame s & Kosmos, 301 Friendship St., Providence, RI, 02903, USA | 1-800 -587-2872 | www.thamesandkosmos.com
Thame s & Kosmos UK, Old Oxted, Surrey, UK | 01883-730122 | www.thamesandkosmos.co.uk

››› Do not perform any experiments using the

household current supply! The high voltage can be
deadly dangerous.

›››

To operate the solar cell, you will need a 1.5-volt,

type AAA/LR03 battery or a 1.2-volt, min. 800
mAh/type AAA rechargeable battery, which is not
included in the kit due to its limited shelf life.

›››

It is not possible to charge a rechargeable battery

through the solar cell.

›››

Avoid short-circuiting the batteries. A short-circuit

could lead to overheating of circuits and battery
explosions.

›››

Always insert batteries in the right polarity

orientation, pressing them gently into the battery
compartment.

›››

Do not recharge non-rechargeable batteries. They

could explode!

›››

Rechargeable batteries are to be removed from

the toy before being recharged. Rechargeable
batteries are only to be charged under adult
supervision.

›››

Exhausted batteries are to be removed from the

toy.

›››

Dispose of used batteries in accordance with

environmental provisions.

›››

Be sure not to bring batteries into contact with

coins, key chains, or other metal objects.

›››

Avoid deforming the batteries.

››› Do not mix old and new batteries.
››› Do not mix alkaline, standard (carbon-zinc), or

rechargeable (nickel-cadmium) batteries.

Notes on experimenting with batteries

With all of the experiments that use batteries, have an adult check the model to make sure you have assembled it
properly.

After you are done experimenting, remove the battery from the battery compartment. Note the safety information
accompanying the individual experiments!

WARNING! Not suitable for children under 3 years of age. There is a risk of choking due to small parts that may be

swallowed or inhaled. Keep the experiment materials and finished models out of the reach of small children. There
is a risk of strangulation if long cords are wrapped around the neck.

WARNING! Only for use by children 8 years and older. Instructions are included for parents or other supervising

individuals. Please follow them!

Save the packaging and instructions. They contain important information.

The models are not intended for long-term operation, and should not be left to operate unattended. In particular,
the solar module should not be operated too long with a light bulb, which emits heat. The parts may get damaged.

For models with propellers: Keep rotating propellers away from the face and long hair, and do not reach into or hold
onto them. Also, do not let other materials (such as strings, cords, or paper) get into the propellers.

For models used in water:

WARNING! Only operate models in water if they are recommended for

such use and are properly assembled according to the instructions.
Only use these models in the bathtub or shallow containers and under
adult supervision.

After completing the experiment, dry all parts and return them to the box for storage.

DEAR PARENTS!

Before starting the experiments, read through the instruction manual along with your
child and discuss the safety information. Check to make sure the models have been
assembled correctly, and assist your child with the experiments.

We wish you and your child a lot of fun with the experiments!

Notes on disposal of electrical and electronic components

The electronic components of this product are recyclable. For the sake of the environment, do not
throw them into the household trash at the end of their lifespan. They must be delivered to a collec­tion location for electronic waste, as indicated by the following symbol:

Please contact your local authorities for the appropriate disposal location.

Solar BOAT | SAFETY INFORMATION

1

DID YOU KNOW …

The production of electricity from sunlight is becoming more

and more common. If you keep an eye out for dark blue solar
cells, you will start seeing

them on the roofs of lots of
houses, and sometimes even

on boats.

Solar Boat

An experiment to help you hit

the ground running

Can you really get electricity from sunshine?

Try it, and prepare to be surprised!

WANT TO

LEARN MORE?

Then come along into the

sunny world of solar

energy…

Using the power of
the sun

YOU WILL NEED

› Solar module
› Motor shaft

›

Sunlight

HERE’S HOW

1. Insert the motor shaft into the module

short end first, and slide the module
switch to the “sun” symbol. Hold the
solar cell in the sunlight or a few inches
away from a light bulb. What happens?

2. Move the module farther and farther

away from the light source (if you are
outside, move it into the shade). Does the
shaft’s rotation speed change?

3. Cover part of the solar cell with your

hand. Does that have an influence on the
shaft?

WHAT’S HAPPENING?

The solar cell converts light energy
into electrical current, which in turn
drives the module’s motor. Several
gear wheels transfer this movement
to the shaft. It makes a big dierence
how bright the light source is — the
motor becomes slower as you move it
away from the light — and how large
the solar cell is.

Solar energy is a very good type of
energy, because it is “renewable.”

2

Solar Boat | The parts in your kit

1

5

11 13 14 15 1612

6 7 8 9 10

2 3 4

x 1 x 2 x 4 x 6

x 1 x 1 x 1 x 3 x 6 x 1

x 2 x 1 x 2

x 11

x 1

x 1

No.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

No.

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

Description

SOLAR MODULE with Motor

FLOAT

FLOAT COVER

BASE

BODY PANEL, large

PROPELLER

3-HOLE ROD

3-HOLE DUAL-ROD

Description

5-HOLE DUAL-ROD

5-HOLE ROD

90-DEGREE CONVERTER - R

MOTOR SHAFT

TUBE

ANCHOR PIN

ANCHOR PIN LEVER

STRING

Qty.

1

2

4

6

1

1

1

3

Qty.

6

1

2

1

2

11

1

1

Item No.

714 009

714 010

714 011

714 012

714 013

714 005

714125

714127

Item No.

714126

714179

714128

702801

714 014

714129

702590

714130

Total 44

You will also need:

Source of energy (sunlight, 1 x 1.5-volt battery, typ

e

AAA/LR03, or 1 x 1.2-volt rechargeable battery, min. 800

mAh/type AAA, light bulb (only halogen energy-savin

g

bulb, 42 W or above)), bathtub or wading pool, hair dryer,
sheet of letter-sized paper, pencil, scissors, ruler, 2 chairs,

weight, tape

GOOD TO KNOW!

If you are missing any parts, please
contact Thames & Kosmos customer

service.

Any materials not included in the kit are
indicated in italic script under the “You will

need” heading.

3

Contents | Solar Boat

Safety information .................. inside front cover

Experiment to hit the ground running ........... 1

The parts in your kit .............................................. 2

Contents ..................................................................... 3

Tips and Tricks ......................................................... 4

MODELS AND EXPERIMENTS

Solar Boat ..................................................................... 5

Experiment 1: Powering along in shallow water? Find out

how the solar boat does it.

Solar Windmill ............................................................... 9

Experiment 2: Wind energy and solar energy — your

windmill brings the two together.

Solar Plane ............................................................ 13

Experiment 3: Flying with nothing but sunlight?
Your solar plane shows you how to do it.

Solar Fan ............................................................... 17

Experiment 4: Want to cool o? Then build a solar

fan to get a fresh breeze blowing.

Solar Rocket .............................................................. 21

Experiment 5: Ready for lift-o? Your solar rocket is

sure to get some attention.

Solar Spaceship .................................................... 25

Experiment 6: The spaceship will race along the
string with minimum friction.

Copyright page ....................... inside back cover

TIP!

You will find additiona

l

information here: “Check It Out

”

Pages 29, 30, 31, and 32

4

A

B

Solar Boat | Tips and Tricks

1

2

TIP!

When assembling the solar module,

always make sure you are doing it as
indicated in the drawings. Otherwise, your

experiments won’t work.

THE ANCHOR PIN LEVER

Take a look inside the kit box and find a little yellow tool — the anchor pin lever.

1. The “A” end of the lever lets you remove anchor pins easily.

2. Use the “B” end to remove the battery from the solar module.

MOUNTING BARS AND ANCHOR PINS

Use the anchor pins to connect bars (Fig. 1).

Some of the components can also be
connected without anchor pins (Fig. 2).

THE SOLAR MODULE

Take a look at the solar module. It has two
energy sources — the dark solar cell area and
a battery compartment. You can switch back
and forth between these two sources by using
the switch (with one symbol for the sun and
another for the battery). Set the switch to the
middle position to turn o the motor. Always
use the solar cell when you can.

TIP!

If the sun isn’t shining brightly
enough, you can use a halogen

energy-saving light bulb or insert a
battery into the module.

Fig. 1

Fig. 2

5

Solar Boat

Solar Boat

Your quick and agile airboat can zip across swamps, marshes,
and shallow bodies of water. An airboat is made with one or more
shallow hulls and a large propeller driven by a powerful motor.

You can use the solar module to build your very own
environmentally friendly airboat!

6

x1 x2 x4 x4 x1 x1

x1 x2 x1 x2 x11x6x3 x1

Solar Boat | Solar Boat

1

5 6

7 8 9

2 3 4

10 11 13 1412

1.

2.

3.

4.

Required Parts

7

x2

Solar Boat | Solar Boat

5.

6.

Completed

8

DID YOU KNOW …

Airboats (also known as fanboats)
have no brakes, and they can’t drive
in reverse. So the person piloting
an airboat has to steer carefully
in order to get it to the right
destination. Along with rubber rafts,
airboats are often used in flooded
areas.

Solar Boat | Solar Boat

EXPERIMENT 1

When does your solar
boat run?

YOU WILL NEED

› The assembled solar boat

› Energy source (battery)
›

Bathtub

HERE’S HOW

1. Set your boat in a dry tub. Push the

switch to the battery power setting to
turn on the motor.

2. Gradually fill the tub with cold water. How

high does the water level have to get for
the boat to float? When that happens,
does it start moving right away?

WHAT’S HAPPENING?

The two floats help the solar boat
float on the water. The motor powers
the propeller or fan, which creates a
strong push of air behind the boat,
moving the boat forward. Unlike in
an ordinary boat, this propeller is
positioned above the water rather
than sticking down into it. That
means that the boat can even
move through shallow water.

TIP!

If you want to use the boat outside, set
it in a shallow basin or wading pool.

Dry o all the pieces after use!

WARNING!

Never place an electric lamp
anywhere near water or
near a bathtub! Use only the
battery power or sunlight when
operating in water.

9

Solar Boat

Solar Windmill

Windmills use their giant rotors to convert wind energy into
electricity. These days, you will sometimes see lots of wind
turbines collected together in a single large wind farm. This
way, a lot of electricity can be produced at once. An average­sized windmill can be as tall as an apartment building, with
rotor blades as long as a passenger plane.

10

x1 x2 x1 x4

x1 x1 x1x1 x1

Solar Boat | Solar Windmill

1

6 9 10 12 14

2 3 4

1.

2.

Required Parts

11

Solar Windmill | Solar Boat

3.

4.

Completed

12

1

2

4

5

6

7

8

9

3

10

11

12

13

14

15

1 Blade

2 Rotor

3 Pitch

4 Brake

5 Low-speed shaft

6 Gear box

7 Generator

8 Controller

Blade

Rotor hub Gear box

GeneratorBrake Brake

Volt age

Tra n s­former

Hub

Nacelle

Tow er

High-speed

shaft

Low-speed

shaft

9 Anemometer

10 Wind vane

11 Nacelle

12 High-speed shaft

13 Yaw drive

14 Yaw motor

15 To w er

DID YOU KNOW …

The largest electricity-

producing windmill in the world
is in Brandenburg, Germany.

With a height of 205 meters, it
is as tall as a 75-story building!

Solar Boat | Solar Windmill

EXPERIMENT 2

When does your
windmill turn?

YOU WILL NEED

› The assembled windmill

›

Hair dryer

HERE’S HOW

1. Do not insert a battery. Hold your

windmill firmly by the base, so it doesn’t
tip over.

2. Set the module switch to the center

position and aim the hair dryer at
the rotor from the front. Watch what
happens.

3. Shift the hair dryer’s position up, down,

and to the sides. Try the dierent
blowing settings of the hair dryer. When
do the blades turn faster, and when do
they turn slower?

WHAT’S HAPPENING?

When the wind hits the rotor blades
at the right angle, they start to turn,
since they are mounted at a slight
slant. In an actual wind turbine, this
rotation is turned into electrical energy
by a generator. Large iron coils and
magnets are needed for that. Wind
energy is a form of renewable energy,
because nothing is combusted or
consumed.

TIP!

If you operate the windmill with the solar cell

or the battery, it will turn into a fan!

4. Only operate the windmill for a brief

period of time with the hair dryer, and
turn the hair dryer o after use.

13

Solar Boat

Solar Plane

It’s hard to believe – motor-powered airplanes have only been
in use for about a hundred years. In large airplanes, extremely
powerful turbines take the place of motors. Planes that fly
using electricity produced by solar cells are a recent innovation.
You can use your solar module to build your very own solar
plane.

14

x1

x2 x2 x6

x1

x1 x1 x6x5x3 x1

x2

Solar Boat | Solar Plane

1

5

6 8 9 10

2 3 4

12 14

1.

2.

3.

4.

Required Parts

15

x2

Solar Plane | Solar Boat

5.

6.

Completed

16

Solar Boat | Solar Plane

EXPERIMENT 3

When does an airplane fly?

YOU WILL NEED

› The assembled solar plane

› Energy source (sunlight, halogen energy-

saving bulb, battery)

›

Strip of paper, about 2 x 10 cm

HERE’S HOW

1. Power the propeller with the solar cell or

the battery by moving the switch to the
appropriate setting.

2. Use your hand to check whether the

stream of air flows forward or backward
from the propeller.

3. Hold the strip of paper by one end and

move it toward the propeller from the
nose of the airplane. What happens?

4. Take the paper strip and hold it on the

other side of the propeller. Watch the
movement of the strip.

WHAT’S HAPPENING?

When you hold the paper strip behind
the propeller, it shows you how the
stream of air is flowing. As the air from
the propeller strikes the strip, it rises
up like a miniature wing! The stream of
air from the propeller has to be pointed
backward in order for the plane to
move forward.

KEYWORD

WING

All propeller planes also have wings.

They work by a principle known as
“dynamic lift,” which pushes the

wings upward. The reason that
happens is that the air has to flow

faster over the curved upper edge
of the wing than over the flatter

lower edge, which creates an area

of low pressure above it.

TIP!

It works best if you
watch the paper strip

from the side.

17

Solar Boat

Solar Fan

This fan will be particularly handy in the summer. It keeps
the air moving so you can keep cool. Fans come in all sizes.
Assemble your very own solar fan here!

18

x1 x1 x2 x1 x1

x2 x1x4x2 x1 x7

Solar Boat | Solar Fan

1

7

8 9 10 11

2 4 6

12 14

1.

2. 3.

Required Parts

19

Solar Fan | Solar Boat

4.

Completed

20

Solar Boat | Solar Fan

EXPERIMENT 4

Where does your fan blow?

YOU WILL NEED

› The assembled fan

› Energy source (sunlight, halogen energy-

saving bulb, battery)

HERE’S HOW

1. Power the fan with the solar cell or the

battery by moving the switch to the
appropriate setting.

2. Use your hand to check whether the

fan pushes the stream of air forward or
backward.

3. What happens when you install the solar

module rotated 180 degrees?

WHAT’S HAPPENING?

The fan creates a stream of air. But
it only works because the fan blades
are mounted at an angle. If you look
at the tip of the fan, you will see
that it blows the air across the solar
module when its blades rotate in a
clockwise direction. If you turn the
solar module around, the fan rotates in
a counterclockwise direction and the
air blows in your direction. The angle
of the blades and their rotation speed
control the strength of the air stream.

KEYWORD

HELICOPTER

If you hold the fan so that the air blows

toward the ground, it will demonstrate

the principle by which a helicopter works.

The long rotor blades create a stream of

air flowing downward. If they rotate fast

enough, there’s enough power to lift the

helicopter o the ground.

21

Solar Boat

Solar Rocket

In order to lift o into space, there’s one thing a rocket needs
most of all: a lot of thrust. The thrust, or propulsion, is created
by powerful engines and turbines. All space rockets consist
mostly of fuel tanks! You might not be able to take o into
space with your rocket, but you will be able to zip around closer
to home.

22

x1 x1 x1 x2 x1

x1x2 x1

Solar Boat | Solar Rocket

1

10 12

2 3 4 6

8

1.

2.

Required Parts

23

Solar Rocket | Solar Boat

3.

4.

Completed

24

Solar Boat | Solar Rocket

EXPERIMENT 5

How does your rocket fly?

YOU WILL NEED

› The assembled rocket
› String (1.4 m)

› Energy source (sunlight, halogen energy-

saving bulb, battery)

HERE’S HOW

1. For this experiment, it’s best to start

by running the rocket on battery power.
Remove the display stand. Insert the
battery and slide the switch to the
“battery” setting.

2. Hold your hand behind the propeller. Do

you feel a draft of air? Switch o the
motor.

3. Next, tie one end of the string to the

front of the rocket and the other end to
the rear.

4. Now you will have to be sure that nobody

and nothing is in the way! Set the switch
to “battery” mode again and hold the
string by the middle of the loop.

WHAT’S HAPPENING?

Your rocket can fly in a circle! The
propeller provides the recoil it needs
to move forward. That means that
the rocket is moved forward with the
same force with which the propeller
pushes the air to the rear. Your turning
movement assists the recoil.

You can see
this same
recoil principle
at work in the
large rockets
that shoot o
into space.

5. Pull the string tight and start turning in a

circle while holding the rocket.

6. Keep your eye on the rocket and try to

make it rise or drop by pulling on the
string.

7. Can your rocket fly outside too? Take it

into the sunshine and find out!

25

Solar Boat

Solar Spaceship

Spaceships glide through space seemingly weightless and
friction-free. The spaceship Apollo 11 carried humans to the
Moon for the first time. A lot of spaceships are equipped with
solar modules for their energy
needs.

26

x1 x2 x2 x4 x1

x1 x1 x1 x7x5x3 x1

7398-6

x2

x2

x2

7398-6

x2

x2

x2

Solar Boat | Solar Spaceship

1

5

6 7 8 9

2 3 4

10 12 14

1.

3.

2.

Required Parts

27

7398-6

x2

x2

x2

Solar Spaceship | Solar Boat

4.

5.

Completed

28

DID YOU KNOW …

Some modern trains are held aloft
by magnets, resulting in a complete
absence of friction between train
and rails.
That lets
them travel
extremely
fast!

Solar Boat | Solar Spaceship

TIP!

Outside, you could tie the string to a
garden fence, for example, or a railing.

Have an adult help you.

EXPERIMENT 6

How does your
spaceship fly?

YOU WILL NEED

› The assembled spaceship
› String (2.6 m)
› Tube

› Energy source (sunlight, halogen energy-

saving bulb, battery)
› 2 chairs
› Tape
› Weight

HERE’S HOW

1. Remove the display stand.

2. Take 30 cm of the string and tie one end

to one of the gray holes in the forward
base section. To do that, you will briefly
need to remove the base section from
the bar with the holes. Proceed the same
way with a second piece of string and the
rear base section holes.

3. Thread the tube onto a 1-meter section

of string and insert the tube through the
loops of string attached to the model.

4. Tape the tops of the loops to the tube.

5. Stretch out the long section of cord

and tie its ends to the backs of 2 chairs,
making sure it is tight and horizontal.

6. Now thread a 1-meter-long section of

string through the front two free holes
of the white bars, and tie a weight to it.

7. Start up the propeller, and your spaceship

will zip along the string.

WHAT’S HAPPENING?

For your spaceship to travel easily
along the string, friction has to be kept
to a minimum. If two rough surfaces
move against each other, there’s a lot
of friction. Your tube, though, is very
smooth on the inside, so it moves eas

­ily along the string. The less friction
there is, the faster your spaceship will
move.

29

Check It Out | Solar Boat

WHAT IS AN

ELECTRON?

An electron is a very

small negatively charged

particle — in other words, it

carries a negative

electrical
charge. Here,
researchers

have

attempted to
photograph an
electron.

RENEWABLE ENERGY — WHAT IS IT?

ENERGY THAT IS OBTAINED FROM SOURCES THAT ARE
NEVER USED UP IS CALLED “RENEWABLE ENERGY.”
THE SUN IS AN EXAMPLE OF THAT KIND OF SOURCE.

SO ARE WIND AND WATER.

How does a solar cell work?

When the sun shines on a solar cell, the electrons in the
cell start to move. Wherever there are a lot of electrons, a
negative pole forms. Wherever there are “electron holes,” a

positive pole forms. This dierence in

the quantity of electrons is called a

dierence in electrical potential,

also known as voltage. If the

two poles are connected,

the electrons start to flow,

resulting in electrical current.

So a solar cell converts

the sun’s energy into

electrical energy.

Electrode

Anti-reflective layer

N-layer

P-layer

Electrode

30

Solar Boat | Check It Out

And if the

wind isn’t

blowing?

One of the biggest

problems with
renewable forms
of energy is how

to store them. The

wind won’t always
be blowing, but you always need a supply of electrical
energy. So researchers are looking for ways to store energy
when the wind is blowing strongly. Unfortunately, it isn’t
easy to charge ordinary batteries for this purpose. So new
technologies have to be developed.

AIRBOAT

To steer an airboat, air
from the fan is guided past
large rudders. The captain
just has to adjust the
direction of these rudders
in order to steer. Airboats
are especially popular for
transporting people and
goods in the swampy areas
of Florida and other southern
U.S. states.

31

FANS EVERYWHERE…

YOU WILL FIND FANS IN A LOT OF EVERYDAY THINGS, SUCH AS CARS,
COMPUTERS, AND CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEMS. IN THE CASE OF MACHINES

LIKE THESE, THE FAN ENSURES THAT TOO MUCH HEAT DOESN’T BUILD UP.

THERE’S A FAN IN YOUR HAIR DRYER, TOO. IT BLOWS AIR ACROSS

ELECTRICALLY HEATED WIRES, SO YOU CAN DRY YOUR HAIR WITH WARM AIR.

Check It Out | Solar Boat

What do a rocket and

an octopus have in

common?

The recoil principle! The octopus moves

forward with the same force with which it

pushes water out of its body to the rear.

32

Solar Boat | Check It Out

SOMEWHAT SLIPPERY…

Have you ever slipped on a patch
of ice? When it’s “slippery,” it

means the friction between your
shoes and the ground is very

low. Some materials, such as oil

,

have this kind of eect. That’s

why those materials are used

wherever you want to reduce
friction — such as in machines.

When you oil your bicycle

chain, it reduces friction and
improves the interplay of the

moving parts.

FLOATING TRAINS?

A MAGNETIC LEVITATION (MAGLEV) TRAIN IS A TRAIN THAT IS LIFTED

UP AND PROPELLED FORWARD BY THE FORCE OF POWERFUL MAGNETS

.

IT MOVES ALONG WITHOUT TOUCHING THE TRACKS, SO IT CAN MOVE

VERY FAST. IN THE CHINESE CITY OF SHANGHAI, THERE IS A MAGLEV TRAIN THAT CA

N

REACH SPEEDS OF 430 KILOMETERS PER HOUR!

Guidance Magnet

Guideway

Gap of Air

Support Magnet
Stator

(propulsion magnet)

Kosmos Quality and Safety

More than one hundred years of expertise in publishing science experiment
kits stand behind every product that bears the Kosmos name. Kosmos
experiment kits are designed by an experienced team of specialists and
tested with the utmost care during development and production. With
regard to product safety, these experiment kits follow European and US
safety standards, as well as our own refined proprietary safety guidelines.
By working closely with our manufacturing partners and safety testing
labs, we are able to control all stages of production. While the majority of
our products are made in Germany, all of our products, regardless of origin,
follow the same rigid quality standards.

Solar Boat

Ar t . - Nr.: 713141