How Can a Ferry Cross a River Without an Engine?

What Crafty Clover says in this video

Intro

Hi there, curious minds! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. How can a ferry cross a river without an engine?

The Big Idea

Some river ferries have no engine at all. The river itself pushes them across! They are called reaction ferries or cable ferries. A long cable keeps them from drifting away.

Attached Cable

Step one: the cable. A reaction ferry is attached to a long cable stretched across the river. The cable keeps the ferry from floating away downstream, and it also guides it straight along its path.

Tilt the Boat

Step two: tilt it. The ferry is turned at an angle to the current, so the moving water hits its side. The river's own push slides the ferry sideways across the water, like a kite steered by the wind.

Change the Angle

Step three: coming back. To return, the pilot just changes the angle of the ferry. Some free ferries in Canada work this way, carrying cars and people across rivers.

A Closer Look

Let's take a closer look at a reaction ferry! A long cable crosses the river. The ferry is tied to it. The current pushes on the ferry's side. And the angle sends it across.

Quick Facts

Quick facts! Reaction ferries are powered by the river itself. They need no fuel for crossing. The pilot just changes the angle. Always wear a life jacket on a ferry, and stay with a grown-up.

Think Like a Scientist

Now, think like a scientist! With a grown-up, hold a small paper boat in a tray of moving water, tilted at an angle. Which way does the water push it? Try a different angle! Share what you discover with a grown-up.

Outro

Reaction ferries cross a river using only the push of the current. Science is amazing! Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!