LETS LEARN ABOUT TORNADOES

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LETS LEARN ABOUT TORNADOES!
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What is a Tornado?

• A tornado is a twisting, funnel-shaped cloud
  extending down from a cumulonimbus cloud.
• Vocabulary
• The vortex of a tornado is the whirling mass of
  water or air.

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How do they form?

• A tornado forms when cool air coming from the
  west catches up with unusually warm, moist air
  from the south.
• The result is a whirling wind with thick, black
  clouds and thunderstorms.

This image can be found at http//teacher.schola
stic.com/activities/wwatch/tornado/about/index.htm
.
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What are some characteristics of a Tornado?

• Rapid Air Movement
• Tornado acts like a giant vacuum cleaner,
  sucking in air near the ground.

(2) Spiraling Winds Storms rotation
twists tornados winds. Dust and debris
darken the base of the funnel.
(3) An Ominous Sign Large hail often falls
near tornadoes. (Ominous means being a sign of
trouble, danger, or disaster threatening. An
example - that looks like an ominous cloud.)
These animated graphics can be found at
http//www.usatoday.com/weather/tg/wtorwhat/wtorwh
at.htm.
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The strength of a tornado is measured on a
Fujita Scale.
Scale
Wind (mph)
Typical Damage
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Here is a video clip of a Tornado!
Click on the screen to start video.
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Activity Time
Lets create our own tornado!
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BEFORE YOU START . . .

• Each member of the group must have a role
• (Make sure you write down what your role is under
  your name!)
• Group Captain Reads the tasks aloud to the
  group and provides leadership.
• Materials Manager Gathers all supplies needed
  for activity.
• Recorder Writes down the groups results from
  the activity.
• Monitor/Coach Keeps group focused on task and
  makes sure everyone has an equal chance to
  participate.

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--Remember--

• Each group will go to the station labeled with
  the same number as your computer.
• If you have any questions, raise your hand and
  Miss Ogden will come over and help you.
• Work together on this activity and
• have FUN!!

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Materials Needed

• Bring with you
• A pencil
• Your worksheet
• The following items will be at each of your
  stations
• 2 empty two-liter soda bottles
• 1 tornado tube
• water (at sink)
• glitter
• food coloring (at sink)
• Be careful food coloring can stain your
  clothes!

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Lets Create a Tornado!

• FIRST-
• 1. Fill one of the soda bottles about
  three-fourths full of water from the sink.
• 2. Then, place four drops of blue food coloring
  and some glitter into the bottle to help you
  observe the motion of the water.

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• NOW-
• Screw the tornado tube onto the soda bottle with
  water and attach the second empty soda bottle to
  the other end of the tube.
• Make sure they are screwed on tightly!

This is what it should look like
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Prediction Time

• What do you think will happen when you flip over
  the bottles and turn it in a circular motion?
• Write and draw your answers on your worksheet.
  Everyone must complete this task before going on!

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• NEXT-
• 4. Place a hand securely on top of the bottle
  while resting the bottom of the bottle on the
  table.
• 5. Turn the bottles over (so the bottle with
  the water is on top) and shake the upper bottle
  in a circular motion until the vortex forms. Do
  this several times and observe it.
• This is what it should look like

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Observation

• Take a minute to write a few sentences about what
  you observed after the experiment on your
  worksheet.
• Was your prediction correct?
• Try swirling the top bottle faster and then
  slower.
• What happens?
• What do you think?
• If the speed of the vortex were to be faster, do
  you think the tornado would be
• a) less destructive
• b) more destructive
• c) would not make a difference

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What did you learn?
(Think about these questions and we will go over
them as a class when we are finished.)

• What kind of weather atmosphere can create a
  tornado?
• Where is the vortex on a tornado?

How are tornadoes classified?
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Youre finished! Good Job!!
Raise your hand and Miss Ogden will come around
to pick up your papers.
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Time to clean up . . .

• Please go back to your station to clean up.
• Use a paper towel to dry any wet areas.
• Clean up around your station.
• Place bottles down on the floor by the sink.

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Thank You For Participating!
GOOD JOB
BLUE RIBBON PERFORMANCE
SUPER
WOW
GREAT