Tornado in a Bottle

 Here is a fun and simple science project.   

Build a tornado in a bottle. 

Items needed are few: two 2-liter bottles, water, food coloring, and strong tape.



 



An unsuccessful adaptation we employed was to use 64 oz. juice bottles instead of the 2-liter bottles.  The children were able to see why this didn't work: the tornado's passageway needed the longer length of the 2-liter bottle vs. the stout juice bottle; the 2-liter bottle has a rounder shape that is helpful to the circular motion; and the mouth diameter of the juice bottle being larger than that of the 2-litter bottle dropped the liquid through too quickly.

If you're willing to make a bit of a mess, as we were, let the kids discover that not just any ol' tape will be secure for this project.

Many hands and a variety of shakes tried to figure out just the right touch to obtain the best tornado possible.  Why not give it a whirl yourself?

Check out How to Build a Tornado in a Bottle, by Lori Shores. 
ISBN 1429644931