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From: Monster Storms Mission 3: The Chase (pp: 59)
Modeling Tornadoes

In this lab activity, students create a model of a tornado as a safe way to study this weather phenomenon. Using their model, they can observe the structure and impact of a twister.
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Although Tim Samaras chases tornadoes, he must be careful not to catch one! A tornado’s funnel-shaped cloud is a powerful vortex that acts much like the moving air drawn into a home vacuum sweeper. Scientists, however, don’t really know what is happening in a storm the instant a tornado starts to form.

In this lab you will make a model of a tornado in order to observe the structure and impact of a vortex.

Materials
  • water 
  • two 8 or 10 oz. tall, ¾ full, clear plastic flat bottom jars with screw caps
  • small, light objects such as plastic beads or glitter for “debris” 
  • liquid dish soap
  • flashlight (optional)

Lab Prep

Answer these questions before you make your model.

  1. What are some of the conditions that make Tornado Alley an ideal place for tornadoes to form?

  2. Scientists use models to help them understand monster weather. Why do you think they use models in addition to observations and direct measurements?

Make Observations

Fill the first jar ¾ full with water. Add some beads or glitter and a drop of liquid soap. Replace the lid and swirl the jar until you see a funnel form. Answer the following questions about your tornado model. Using a flashlight to backlight the jar may help you see the funnel better.tornado

  1. What happens to the “debris”?

  2. Why does the debris move as it does?

    Add water to the second jar, but only ½ of the amount used in the first jar. Add a drop of liquid soap and “debris.”

  3. Does the amount of water you add to the jar make a difference to how the model operates?

  4. What happens when you swirl the jar quickly? Slowly? Is there a difference between the jars?

    Now empty your second jar, being careful to save the “debris.” Fill the jar ¾ full with clean water, equal to the level of the first jar, but do NOT add liquid soap this time.

  5. Compare the first jar which has liquid soap to the second jar without it. Does the soap make a difference in how the model operates?

  6. What do you notice when you swirl the jars quickly? Slowly?

  7. To model a tornado accurately, is it important to swirl the jar in a particular direction (clockwise or counterclockwise)?

Interpret Data

This activity shows you one way that scientists study weather phenomena—they use models. Models help them see what is happening without actually getting into a tornado. However, models are only as good as the knowledge or data used to make them. Use your data to analyze your model.

  1. How does this jar model imitate the formation of a real tornado? How is it different?

  2. What could you do to make your model more realistic?

  3. How can a model like this help you understand tornadoes?
journal icon Journal Question
Tim’s probes record data near the bottom of the tornado. Why do scientists find such data particularly important?
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