Published on Sep 28, 2024
The objective:
I am comparing a simulated Tornado with a heat source from the bottom, to a naturul Tornado where the heat source comes from the top.
I tested different cake pans with the chamber simulator, to find that a regular cake plate helped make the best simulated tornado, I will tried to make it bigger if possible.
I was able to simulate a contanined man made tornado in a simulator chambor. It raises almost 4ft. above the chamber opening
In conclusion I found that I could simulate a tornado that has a heat sorce from bottom. How does the simulator actually compare to a tornado? The proportions in the model need to be correct in order to create a vortex.
This is probably true of tornadic vortices also. Too little updraft, too much updraft, too little inflow (too narrow a slit), too much inflow at too low a speed (too wide a slit), and no vortex will form. You will get circulation, but no concentrated vortex at the center.
This particular model is more of a model dust devil than a tornado. This is because the heat source is at the bottom. Real life tornadoes have their energy sources overhead, so you will need to introduce a small fan at the top to better model a tornado.
If you use a fan, you begin to get beyond the scope of this design. But if you introduce a small, weak fan, make the box wider and taller.
This project is about comparing heat sources from a natural tornado and a simulation.