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Yep, you heard right. Make a homemade tornado science experiment.

F5 tornado (upgraded from initial estimate of F4) viewed from the southeast as it approached Elie, Manitoba on Friday, June 22nd, 2007

This tornado experiment will blow you away!

A tornado is a destructive and dangerous natural phenomenon that can cause massive destruction to life and property. It is a rotating funnel cloud that extends downward from a mass of dark clouds. The winds of a tornado are the most violent winds that occur on the earth, whirling around the center of the storm at speeds exceeding 200 miles per hour.

In this science experiment, you can learn about the mechanics of a tornado and how it forms by safely recreating one at home. With a few simple materials, you can simulate a miniature version of a tornado – without the risk of harming yourself or anyone around you!

  1. Fill the glass jar about 3/4 full of water (for that ‘Wizard of Oz’ effect, throw in a few Monopoly houses).
  2. Add some food coloring along with about a teaspoon of dishwashing detergent.
  3. Put the lid on the jar and shake it vigorously for about 20 seconds.
  4. Now, give the jar a good twist.

Pretty cool, huh? The liquid inside the jar will form a vortex or funnel that looks and acts just like a real tornado. The tornado’s body will even lengthen and contract just like the real thing too.

Parent’s Note

Here’s some tornado safety tips you may want to share with your kids.

  • Discuss with family members the difference between a “tornado watch” and a “tornado warning.”
  • A tornado watch is issued by the National Weather Service when tornadoes are possible in your area. Remain alert for approaching storms. This is time to remind family members where the safest places within your home are located and listen to the radio or television for further developments.
  • A tornado warning is issued when a tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar.

If at home:

  • Go at once to the basement, storm cellar, or the lowest level of the building.
  • If there is no basement, go to an inner hallway or a smaller inner room without windows, such as a bathroom or closet.
  • Get away from the windows.
  • Go to the center of the room. Stay away from corners because they tend to attract debris (and rats).
  • Get under a piece of sturdy furniture such as a workbench or heavy table or desk and hold on to it.
  • Use arms to protect head and neck (and to wave at Dorothy as she passes by).
  • If in a mobile home, get out and find a cardboard box (they’re much safer).

If at work or school:

  • Go to the basement or to an inside hallway at the lowest level.
  • Avoid places with wide-span roofs such as auditoriums, cafeterias, large hallways, or shopping malls.
  • Get under a piece of sturdy furniture such as a workbench or heavy table or desk and hold on to it.
  • Use arms to protect your head and neck.

If outdoors:

  • If possible, go inside a building.
  • If shelter is not available or there is no time to get indoors, lie in a ditch or low-lying area or crouch near a strong building. Be aware of the potential for flooding.
  • Use arms to protect your head and neck.

If in a car:

  • Never try to outrun a tornado in a car or truck. Tornadoes can change direction quickly and can lift up a car or truck and toss it through the air.
  • Get out of the car immediately and take shelter in a nearby building.
  • If there is no time to get indoors, get out of the car and lie in a ditch or low-lying area away from the vehicle. Be aware of the potential for flooding.

Experiment Supplies

Supplies: Food dye, Liquid detergent, Glass jar

Legendary tornadoes in history

Here are some of the most legendary tornados in history.

The Tri-State Tornado (1925)

The Tri-State Tornado is one of the deadliest and most destructive tornados in history. It struck on March 18, 1925, and lasted for three and a half hours. The tornado traveled across three states, Missouri, Illinois, and Indiana, and left a trail of destruction 219 miles long. It destroyed 15,000 homes and killed 695 people.

The Joplin Tornado (2011)

The Joplin Tornado struck the city of Joplin, Missouri, on May 22, 2011. The tornado destroyed over 8,000 homes and killed 158 people. The Joplin Tornado was also one of the costliest tornados in history, with damages totaling over $3 billion.

The Bridge Creek-Moore Tornado (1999)

The Bridge Creek-Moore Tornado struck Oklahoma on May 3, 1999, and had wind speeds of up to 318 miles per hour. The tornado destroyed over 8,000 homes and killed 36 people. It was also one of the costliest tornados in history, with damages totaling over $1 billion.

The Super Outbreak (1974)

The Super Outbreak is one of the largest tornado outbreaks in history, with a total of 148 tornados occurring in just 24 hours. The outbreak affected 13 states in the United States and killed 315 people. The Super Outbreak resulted in over $600 million in damages.

The Woodward Tornado (1947)

The Woodward Tornado is one of the deadliest tornados in history, with a death toll of 181 people. It struck the town of Woodward, Oklahoma, on April 9, 1947. The tornado destroyed over 1,000 homes and caused damages totaling over $9 million.

Cool tornado picture gallery

Check out cool pictures of legendary tornados in the tornado picture gallery below.

Image Credits

In-Article Image Credits

Union City, Oklahoma tornado of 24 May 1973 via Wikimedia Commons by NOAA with usage type - Public Domain. May 24, 1973
Dallas, Texas Tornado of 1957 via Wikimedia Commons by NOAA with usage type - Public Domain. April 2, 1957
Waterspout off the Florida Keys via Wikimedia Commons by NOAA with usage type - Public Domain. September 10, 1969
A dust devil in Arizona via Wikimedia Commons by NASA with usage type - Public Domain. June 10, 2005
A Doppler on Wheels (DOW) unit observing a tornado near Attica, Kansas via Wikimedia Commons by Center for Severe Weather Research with usage type - Public Domain. May 12, 2004
Roanoke, Illinois Tornado of 13 July 2004 via Wikimedia Commons by Scott Smith with usage type - Public Domain. July 13, 2004
F5 tornado (upgraded from initial estimate of F4) viewed from the southeast as it approached Elie, Manitoba on Friday, June 22nd, 2007 via Wikimedia Commons by Justin Hobson with usage type - GNU Free. June 22, 2007
Tornado May 3, 1999, in central Oklahoma via Wikimedia Commons by Daphne Zaras with usage type - Public Domain. July 30, 2006
A tornado with no visible condensation funnel in Louisville on April 22, 2005 via Wikimedia Commons by NWS Louisville Kentucky with usage type - Public Domain. April 22, 2005
Binger, Oklahoma F4 tornado of 22 May 1981 via Wikimedia Commons by National Severe Storms Laboratory with usage type - Public Domain. May 22, 1981
A "roping" tornado, in the last stages of its life. Taken near Tecumseh, Oklahoma in May 1981 via Wikimedia Commons by NOAA with usage type - Public Domain. May 17, 1981
Montage of Image:Waurika Oklahoma Tornado via Wikimedia Commons by NOAA with usage type - Public Domain. May 30, 1976
Sequence of three photographs was taken by a member of the VORTEX project outside of Dimmit, TX on June 2, 1995 via Wikimedia Commons by Harald Richter with usage type - Public Domain. June 2, 1995

Featured Image Credit

F5 tornado (upgraded from initial estimate of F4) viewed from the southeast as it approached Elie, Manitoba on Friday, June 22nd, 2007 via Wikimedia Commons by Justin Hobson with usage type - GNU Free. June 22, 2007

 

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