Clean Streets Ahead! How Road Sweepers Tackle Dirt
In Clean Streets Ahead! How Road Sweepers Tackle Dirt, presenter and motorbike racer Grace Webb investigates the outside and inside of a road sweeper, a vehicle with three big brushes that sweep dirt off the road. Road sweepers spray powerful water through nozzles to wash away stubborn grime, and for tough dirt, there's a giant vacuum in the back that collects everything into a compartment called the hopper! This video is excerpted from BBC’s Grace’s Amazing Machines, a children’s show that introduces kids to some of the biggest, fastest, and most amazing machines in the world.
Lesson Express
Q: Why is it helpful for the hopper in the road sweeper to hold so much dirt?
A: If the hopper can hold a lot of dirt, the road sweeper can clean more of the road without needing to stop and empty it. This makes the cleaning process quicker and more efficient.
Q: Why do you think it’s important for a road sweeper to have both brushes and water nozzles?
A: The brushes help sweep away dirt, while the water nozzles spray water to wash away stubborn grime. Together, they make sure the roads are really clean!
Q: How does the way a road sweeper operates compare with how you clean your room?
A: Student answers will vary.