Learn by Camping: Classes for All
Tornado in a Bottle Experiment
Description: This scientific experiment for children demonstrates that swirling water, even in a plastic
bottle, is very powerful. Tornadoes can sometimes produce winds of 250 miles per hour. A water spout is a
tornado over water and a dust devil is a tornado over sand in the desert.
Goals: To demonstrate that swirling air or water is a tornado.
Objectives:
1. Learn that a tornado is swirling air or water.
2. Learn that a tornado is very powerful.
Materials:
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2 clear plastic large soda bottles
Tape
Water
Food coloring (optional)
Procedure:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Fill one of the bottles three-quarters full of water.
Add a couple drops of food coloring.
Invert the other bottle so that it sits on top of the first bottle with the openings together.
Wind the tape tightly around the necks of the bottles so that no water can leak out. The top bottle
should be securely balanced on top of the bottom bottle.
5. Now, hold the bottles with two hands and swirl the water around.
6. Turn upside down and watch what happens.
Resource: www.familyeducation.com
Alice K. Dolu, WVU Extension Agent, 4-H Youth Development – Marshall County
July 16
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