Water wheel

A water wheel consists of a wheel with blades or buckets arranged on the outer rim. As water flows through the blades it causes the wheel to rotate. The rotation of the wheel can be used to power other machines. Water wheels were used well into the 20th century but they are not in common use today.

There are two basic types of water wheels.

1. A horizontal wheel with a vertical axle _{Image attribution - Malcom Boura/ CC BY-SA 4.0}

2. A vertical wheel with a horizontal axle _{Image attribution - Malcom Boura/ CC BY-SA 4.0}

Following are some applications of water wheels

Water mill

In ancient times water wheels were used to create a water mill which is used for milling flour.

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a2/Roda_de_Vitruvi.jpg

Other uses

Water-lifting

Paper Making

Water mills were used in paper making to beat material to pulp.

Hammer Mill

Hammer mills use a water wheel to operate a hammer.

Modern uses

Though we do not use water wheels anymore as used in ancient times, water mills paved the way for discovery of turbines. Modern hydroelectric dams draws its inspiration from water wheels as well.