Steam Engine
Definition
A steam engine is a heat engine that performs mechanical work using steam as its working fluid. It was fundamental to the Industrial Revolution's changes in transport and manufacturing.
Analogy
Think of a steam engine like boiling water for tea. The heat (coal) boils the water, creating steam. The pressure from this steam is then used to do work, like pushing a piston in an engine or whistling on your teapot!
Related terms
Industrial Revolution: A period of major industrialization that took place during the late 1700s and early 1800s where new manufacturing processes were introduced, including the use of steam engines.
Locomotive: A powered rail vehicle used for pulling trains - these often used steam engines in the past.
James Watt: An inventor and mechanical engineer whose improvements to the Newcomen steam engine were fundamental to changes brought by the Industrial Revolution.
"Steam Engine" appears in:
Study guides (3)
Practice Questions (6)
Who invented the steam engine?
What was one significant impact of the steam engine on industrialization?
What was a major impact of the invention of the steam engine on global economies in the 19th century?
How might have the development of industrialization been impacted if James Watt had not improved the efficiency of the steam engine in 1775?
How might the Industrial Revolution have unfolded differently if James Watt had not improved the steam engine?
What alternative outcome could have occurred in the Industrial Revolution if James Watt did not improve the steam engine?
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