Tornado TroubleTornado Trouble

Jordan TzabariJordan Tzabari

““What is the effect of water temperature in degrees What is the effect of water temperature in degrees Celsius on the width of the diameter of a tornados Celsius on the width of the diameter of a tornados

core”core”

RationaleRationale

I chose this project because I am interested in how tornados I chose this project because I am interested in how tornados occur.occur.

It Intrigues me how destructive tornados can be.It Intrigues me how destructive tornados can be.

I hope to answer the questions I have and learn more about I hope to answer the questions I have and learn more about tornados.tornados.

ResearchResearch

Most tornados occur in the United States.Most tornados occur in the United States.

Tornados form by warm air that rises in a Tornados form by warm air that rises in a thunderstorm where winds get sucked up in a circular thunderstorm where winds get sucked up in a circular motionmotion

Tornados form under thunderclouds which led to the Tornados form under thunderclouds which led to the belief that water has an effect on their size.belief that water has an effect on their size.

HypothesisHypothesis

If the change in temperature of 10, 20, 30, 40, If the change in temperature of 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 degrees Celsius is related to the and 50 degrees Celsius is related to the diameter of a tornado’s core in centimeters, diameter of a tornado’s core in centimeters, then the size of the diameter of tornado’s core then the size of the diameter of tornado’s core will increase with the temperature, because will increase with the temperature, because tornadoes tend to form under thunderclouds. tornadoes tend to form under thunderclouds.

MaterialsMaterials

1 Electrical drill1 Electrical drill 4 glass panels 20cm x 30 cm4 glass panels 20cm x 30 cm 2 wooden boards 25cm x 25cm2 wooden boards 25cm x 25cm 4 wooden blocks 5cm x 15cm4 wooden blocks 5cm x 15cm 1 bathroom exhaust fan (on/off switch)1 bathroom exhaust fan (on/off switch) 1 measuring tape (cm)1 measuring tape (cm) 20 groups of dry ice (200 grams)20 groups of dry ice (200 grams) 1 extension cord for the exhaust fan1 extension cord for the exhaust fan 1 metal plate1 metal plate 20 plates of hot water (heated to various temp.)20 plates of hot water (heated to various temp.) 1 pair of gloves1 pair of gloves 1 stopwatch1 stopwatch 1 bottle of silicon (glass) 1 bottle of silicon (glass)

ProcedureProcedure 1. Setup materials as shown in images page.1. Setup materials as shown in images page.

2. For this experiment the Control Group is 10 degrees Celsius. The Dependent 2. For this experiment the Control Group is 10 degrees Celsius. The Dependent Variable is the diameter of the tornados core. The independent variable is the Variable is the diameter of the tornados core. The independent variable is the change in temperature, which are 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 degrees Celsius change in temperature, which are 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 degrees Celsius respectively. A few controlled variables are the amount of dry ice used (200 grams), respectively. A few controlled variables are the amount of dry ice used (200 grams), the speed of the exhaust fan (80 CFM) and the size of the box (25cm x 30cm).the speed of the exhaust fan (80 CFM) and the size of the box (25cm x 30cm).

3. Place a sample of water on the metal dish.3. Place a sample of water on the metal dish.

4. Heat or chill the water to a temperature of 10 degrees Celsius which will be the 4. Heat or chill the water to a temperature of 10 degrees Celsius which will be the control group.control group.

5. When the optimum temperature is reached, remove the detachable side of the 5. When the optimum temperature is reached, remove the detachable side of the box by sliding it out of position, and place the plate of water in the center of the box by sliding it out of position, and place the plate of water in the center of the chamber.chamber.

Procedure 2Procedure 2 6. Using the pair of gloves, place 200 grams of dry ice in the middle of the water.6. Using the pair of gloves, place 200 grams of dry ice in the middle of the water. * Hold it firmly in the middle until it sets in position** Hold it firmly in the middle until it sets in position* 7. Reposition the detachable side of the box.7. Reposition the detachable side of the box.

8. Turn on the exhaust fan with the switch and set the timer for one minute.8. Turn on the exhaust fan with the switch and set the timer for one minute.

9. After a minute, observe the early formation of the tornado. Measure the diameter 9. After a minute, observe the early formation of the tornado. Measure the diameter of the tornados core with the measuring tape.of the tornados core with the measuring tape.

10. Record observations.10. Record observations. 11. Repeat steps 3 to 10 for 4 more trials.11. Repeat steps 3 to 10 for 4 more trials. 12. Repeat steps 3 to 11 for the changes in water temperature of 20, 30, 40, and 50 12. Repeat steps 3 to 11 for the changes in water temperature of 20, 30, 40, and 50

degrees Celsius.degrees Celsius.

ImagesImagesStep 1: Initial setup Step 6: Dry ice added to chamber

Tornado at 10 degrees CelsiusSketch of tornado chamber

DataData

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AgXWEOKsW9i-key=0AgXWEOKsW9i-dEozTlVfZ3RxTU9takxlV0lhMVRtZmc dEozTlVfZ3RxTU9takxlV0lhMVRtZmc

Conclusion – problem/hypothesisConclusion – problem/hypothesis

The experiment was tested to see if water The experiment was tested to see if water temperature in degrees Celsius had any effect temperature in degrees Celsius had any effect on the diameter of a tornados core on the diameter of a tornados core

The hypothesis was disproven The hypothesis was disproven

The diameter was largest at thirty degrees The diameter was largest at thirty degrees Celsius.Celsius.

Conclusion – Data AnalysisConclusion – Data Analysis

The rise in water temperature had nothing to The rise in water temperature had nothing to do with the size of the tornado.do with the size of the tornado.

The tornado at 50 degrees Celsius was as small The tornado at 50 degrees Celsius was as small as it was at 20 degrees Celsius.as it was at 20 degrees Celsius.

At 10 degrees Celsius, the tornado was to At 10 degrees Celsius, the tornado was to small to even be measured.small to even be measured.

Conclusion - ExplanationConclusion - Explanation

Tornados form in Tornados form in warm moist airwarm moist air. .

10 degrees Celsius was not warm enough.10 degrees Celsius was not warm enough.

50 degrees Celsius was too warm.50 degrees Celsius was too warm.

30 degrees Celsius was just right.30 degrees Celsius was just right.

Conclusion - errorsConclusion - errors

The exhaust fan could have malfunctionedThe exhaust fan could have malfunctioned

Miscalculation of dry ice could have occurredMiscalculation of dry ice could have occurred

The temperature in the room was an unavoidable The temperature in the room was an unavoidable negative factor.negative factor.

Next time, more careful calculation can solve issues.Next time, more careful calculation can solve issues.

Conclusion - applicationConclusion - application

Tornados leave huge devastation.Tornados leave huge devastation.

This information is needed to help predict This information is needed to help predict where tornados occur.where tornados occur.

The project can be redone on a larger scale and The project can be redone on a larger scale and better atmosphere.better atmosphere.