How to Make a Tornado in a Bottle?

Do you know how a tornado is formed? Our experiment Tornado in a Bottle will tell you the principle behind the tornado. It is perfect to do this experiment at home or school with just two bottles and water.

Age: 5+        Time: <30min

 Safety 

1. Be careful with the knife.

2. Adult supervision.

 

 Materials List 

• Plastic bottles (with lid)
• Utility knife
• Glue gun
• Tape
• Food coloring or glitter (optional, but may make it easier to see the tornado)
• Optional quick version: Tornado Tube with Bottles

 Instruction 

Step 1/4 – Cut a hole in the bottle lid, make two lids, and connect them face to face with glue and tape.

Step 2/4 – Add about three-quarters water in the bottle and add a few drops of the food coloring.

Step 3/4 – Screw this bottle and an empty bottle together.

Step 4/4 – Turn the bottle with water upside and swirl the bottle. You have your own tornado.

 

 Troubleshooting 

Why is the water not spinning? 

—Spin it harder in one direction.

 Scientific Description 

What behind this experiment is the vortex which is a kind of motion that makes liquids and gases spin around a center line. A centripetal force directing the water toward the center of its circular path is formed when the gravity pulls the water down the hole. The existence of the centripetal force makes the water spin. This is why the tornado is formed. It is a lot quicker to pour the water out from a bottle when you swirl the water.

 Extensions 

Can we replace the water with solid to conduct the experiment?

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