The propulsion system moves the test carriage down the 2800 foot track very fast. The system has three parts. The first part is a large tank to hold the water. The second part is a tank to store the air which puts pressure on the water. The third part is a valve to turn the system on and off. When the valve is turned on, the pressurized water escapes. The water then hits a bucket at the back of the carriage and moves the carriage down the track.

The Science Behind the System

Ideas to Explore: What is pressurizing? How does it affect air and water?

The force or strength of air and water can be increased. This is called pressurizing. In the propulsion system, the force of the air is increased by pumping in more air from a storage tank. The pressurized air is then pumped into the water tank. When the pressurized air is added on top of the water in the tank, it makes the water pressurized. When the valve is turned on, the pressurized water is released and travels at a high speed to make contact with a bucket at the back of the test carriage. The force of the water hitting the test carriage causes it to move along the 2800 foot track at a high speed.