Tornadoes form a complicated shape called a vortex. The shape of a vortex can be re-created in a simple way by using a fluid. Water can mimic the behavior of the swirling winds of a real tornado because air is also a fluid, so they move in identical ways. While a real tornado can rotate at speeds of more than 200 mph, a small reproduction of a tornado twirls at much lower speeds making it possible to view the motion of a tornado from the safety of your home or school.
- 1 8-ounce jar (with lid)
- 3/4 cups of water
- 1 teaspoon dish soap
- 1 teaspoon food dye (any color)
Show More
Instructions
-
-
1
Fill the jar with water, then add the dish soap and food coloring.
-
2
Screw the lid onto the jar tightly, then shake the jar for 20 seconds.
-
-
3
Grip the jar, and with the lid still tightly screwed on, swirl the water in the jar by moving your arm in a horizontal, circular motion until a vortex appears in the center of the mixture. A vortex is the shape of a tornado.