Tornado Trouble

Jordan Tzabari

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

of a tornados core”

Rationale I chose this project because I am interested in how

tornados occur.

Tornados can destroy homes and lives.

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

Research

Most tornados occur in the United States.

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

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

Hypothesis If the change in temperature of 10, 20, 30,

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

Hypothesis Control Group: 10 degrees Celsius

Independent variables:20,30,40,50 degrees C.

Control variables:-Speed of exaust fan(80 CFM) - Amount Dry Ice (200 g) - Size of box (50cm x 60cm)

Materials

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

Procedure

1. Setup materials as shown in images page.

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 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), 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.

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

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 chamber.

Procedure 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* 7. Reposition the detachable side of the box.

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 of the tornados core with the measuring tape.

10. Record observations. 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 degrees Celsius.

Images

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

Tornado at 10 degrees CelsiusSketch of tornado chamber

Datahttps://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AgXWEOKsW9i-dEozTlVfZ3RxTU9takxlV0lhMVRtZmc#gid=0

Conclusion – problem/hypothesis The experiment was tested to see if water

temperature in degrees Celsius had any effect on the diameter of a tornados core

The hypothesis was disproven

The diameter was largest at thirty degrees Celsius, not at 50 degrees Celsius.

Conclusion – Data Analysis The rise in water temperature had nothing

to do with the size of the tornado.

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

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

Conclusion - Explanation Tornados form in warm moist air.

10 degrees Celsius was not warm enough.

50 degrees Celsius was too warm.

30 degrees Celsius was just right.

Conclusion - errors The exhaust fan could have malfunctioned

Miscalculation of dry ice could have occurred

The temperature in the room was an unavoidable negative factor.

Next time, more careful calculation can solve issues.

Conclusion - application Tornados leave huge devastation.

This information is needed to help predict where tornados occur.

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