KENTUCKY — We have all seen tornadoes in videos and movies, but what exactly is a tornado? By definition, a tornado is a violently rotating column of air that is in contact with the ground, which is usually attached to the base of a thunderstorm.
Tornadoes are sometimes very visible, but many times they are wrapped in rain or obscured by low-hanging clouds. Winds can range from 65 mph (EF-1) to over 200 mph (EF-5). The damage path can be over 1 mile wide and dozens of miles long. While most tornadoes are on the ground for fewer than 15 minutes, they can last for hours on rare occasions. Our tornado in a bottle is a very simplified model of a tornado, but it is a fun and easy way to show the kids what a vortex looks like up close, without going storm chasing.
What You Will Need:
- 2 plastic soda or water bottles (could be a 2 liter, 1 liter, or 20 oz, as long as they are the same size)
- Tornado Tube or a washer and duct tape
- Tap water
- Glitter or food coloring (optional)
How To Do It:
- Fill one of the bottles up about ¾ of the way with water.
- Add food coloring or glitter (optional).
- Connect the 2 bottles with the Tornado Tube or a washer and duct tape.
- Turn upside down and move in a circular motion.
- Watch the vortex form.