Windstorm
In this activity, students learn about how tornadoes are formed and what they look like. By creating a water vortex in a soda bottle, they get a first-hand look at tornadoes.
How are tornadoes formed?Copyright OAR/ERL/National Severe Storms Laboratory (NSSL) via [pingnews]. https://www.flickr.com/photos/pingnews/452392668
Understanding the science of natural phenomena enables engineers to design and build strong structures. To build homes, schools and bridges that can withstand high wind forces, engineers creatively measure and study tornado characteristics, such as vortex velocity and diameter. Although the variation in tornadoes makes them very difficult to study, engineers continually improve the technology used to measure tornadoes so they better understand how they form, behave and travel.
After this activity, students should be able to:
- Understand the properties of tornadoes.
- Understand how tornadoes form a funnel shaped mass of air.
- Understand that engineers design and build structures to withstand tornado damage.