Learn how to make a tornado in a bottle with this fun science experiment for children. Using easy to find items such as laundry detergent, water, glitter and a bottle can make your own mini tornado is much safer than one can see on the Weather Channel. Follow the instructions and enjoy the rush of cold water to create.
What you'll need:
- Water
- A clear plastic bottle with a cap (that won't leak)
- Glitter
- Dish washing liquid
Instructions:
- Fill the plastic bottle with water until it reaches around three quarters full.
- Add a few drops of dish washing liquid.
- Sprinkle in a few pinches of glitter (this will make your tornado easier to see).
- Put the cap on tightly.
- Turn the bottle upside down and hold it by the neck. Quickly spin the bottle in a circular motion for a few seconds, stop and look inside to see if you can see a mini tornado forming in the water. You might need to try it a few times before you get it working properly.
Turn the bottle in a circular motion creates a whirlpool that looks like a small tornado. Water is rapidly rotating around the center of the vortex due to the centripetal force (internal force direction of an object or liquid such as water to the center of its circular path). Vortices are found in nature are tornadoes, hurricanes and waterspouts (tornadoes that form over water).
