Full Steam Ahead! The Magic of Steam Cars Explained
In Full Steam Ahead! The Magic of Steam Cars Explained, presenter and motorbike racer Grace Webb takes us on a ride in a steam-powered car. She shows how the boiler makes steam to power the car and how the regulator helps it move. Grace also explains why steam cars can feel bumpy on the road. 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 important not to touch the boiler?
A: The boiler gets very hot when it makes steam, and touching it could cause bad burns. It’s a good reminder to always be careful around hot or moving machines.
Q: Why do you think steam cars needed big steering wheels?
A: Steam cars needed big steering wheels to help drivers turn more easily because they didn’t have power steering like cars today. The big steering wheels made it easier to steer, especially on bumpy roads.
Q: How is the way a steam car moves different from modern cars?
A: Steam cars move using steam, with the driver controlling it with a regulator. Modern cars run with engines powered by gas or electricity instead of steam.