Tornado in a Bottle

Students may some or the other time in their schooling be required to make a science fair project. There are many easy science projects that can be made using simple materials and procedures. One of such easiest environmental science projects is making a tornado in a bottle.

Materials Required

For carrying out this project, you would just require some simple things. Moreover, the process is also very simple. As I mentioned before, this is one of the simplest projects that is most suitable for science students, which takes just around 20 minutes. The basic things required are one or two 2-liter soda bottles, some amount of water, a drill (optional), vortex bottle connector, glitter or foil confetti (optional), and food color (optional).

You can even execute the project without using glitter or foil confetti and food color. These both are optional materials, as they are just used to clearly see a colored tornado spinning in the bottle. Instead of these items, you also have the option of using colored lamp oil in the water. When water and oil whirls, the oil tends to go down the vortex, creating a colored tornado. A drill is also one optional tool, as it is only supposed to be used if you are not using a bottle connector. A bottle connector is a very good item used in this project. Without using it, you would be required drill holes through the caps of the bottles, for which the drill would be used.

Instructions

First Method
This procedure is done using two soda bottles and a bottle connector, and not using bottle caps and a drill. The first step is to put ¾ amount of water in one bottle. Add glitter, foil confetti, or colored lamp oil to the water if you want. You now have a bottle filled with water, and a bottle without any water. The next step is to use the bottle connector to join the spouts of both bottles, with the empty bottle on the top. Ensure that the bottle connector is snugly fit and there is no chance for the water to leak out. Now, turn the bottles upside down, shake them in a circular motion, and then stop. At this point, you will see a kind of a small tornado forming in the bottle, with the water flowing down the empty bottle. If you have added color to the water, you will see a colored vortex of the mini tornado.

Second Method
There is another simpler method for making a tornado in a bottle, with using only one bottle. But in this method, you would require a drill and the bottle cap. Take a drill and make a hole in the cap. Fill ¾ portion of the bottle with water and any other colorful materials you want. Put the cap onto the bottle tightly, and make sure that water does not leak out in any way. Turn the bottle upside down and place it on your palm. The cap is now sealed by the surface of your palm. Shake the bottle in a circular manner, and then remove the hand from the cap. You will see the same kind of mini-tornado forming in the bottle, with the water draining off the bottle.

This is how you create a small tornado in a bottle. Sometimes, a similar kind of tornado is formed when the water tries to drain down the pipe in a kitchen sink. Have fun!