Demonstrations

Vortex Rings

Code Number :	2C50.15
Disclaimer:	Reprinted by permission of Dick Berg, University of Maryland, for use on this website. The demonstrations contained and referenced herein are listed for the purposes of cataloging and describing physics demonstrations which should be conducted only under the direction of a trained instructional support professional or physicist. These demonstrations are not presented for the purpose of being conducted by persons unconnected to this Facility and/or persons not consulting with or being supervised by the recognized instructional support professional or physicist and his/her staff. The University is responsible only for those demonstrations carried out using its own equipment using established safety and scheduling policies, and bears no responsibility for those choosing to use this source material for their own purposes. All demonstrations described and contained herein are public domain, and can also be found in reference materials in libraries, bookstores, and electronic sources. Further information regarding legal liability in use of demonstrations and labs will be found on the web site Injuries in School/College Laboratories in USA. The University of Iowa Disclaimers: University of Iowa Disclaimer All Rights Reserved..
Condition :	Good
Principle :	Turbulence and Vortex
Area of Study :	Heat and Fluids
Equipment :	5 gallon bucket with strap and diaphragm, Coffee Can with Latex Diaphragm, Disposable Grill Lighter, Cigarettes of Wood Splints (For Smoke Production).
Procedure :	Use the sling on the bucket to hold it at a comfortable level. Give the membrane a firm tap. The smoke ring will be nicely visible. Slower traveling rings will allow you to see more vortex structure. You can also use this with or without the smoke to blow out candles from a distance of about 20 feet. The Zero Blaster can be used to make medium sized smoke rings. An adjustment can be made that allows for slow or fast moving rings. Tap the diaphragm in a room of quiet (non-moving) air and observe the smoke rings produced.

Web Sites

World's Largest Air Vortex Cannon

http://www.boreme.com/boreme/funny-2008/biggest-air-vortex-candle-p1.php

Sugar Cube Page and Sound Rings.
http://bizarrelabs.com
© 1997-2002 Brian Carusella, All rights reserved.

References

Karen Bouffard, "The Vortex Cannon", TPT, Vol. 38, # 1, Jan. 2000, p. 18.

"The Fantastic Physics Fun Show: Our Present Demonstration List," TPT, Vol. 34, # 8, p. 513, (Nov. 1996).

M. Hobbs and C. Roddy. "Where There's Smoke There's --a Bee Smoker?" TPT, Vol. 28, # 6, p. 420, (September 1990).

Douglas C. Jenkins, "A Thanksgiving Turkey Shoot - Physics Style," TPT, Vol. 26, # 8, p. 516, (November 1988).

F. Lee Siick & Roy Coleman, Ann Brandon, "Vortex Ring Generator", TPT, Vol. 23, # 7, Oct. 1985, p. 436 - 437.

J. T. Lloyd, "Lord Kelvin Demonstrated", TPT, Vol. 18, # 1, Jan. 1980, p. 16.

Fp-1: Freier and Anderson, A Demonstration Handbook for Physics.

W- 005: "Air Cannon," DICK and RAE Physics Demo Notebook.

W- 005, F- 285, "Vortex Generators," DICK and RAE Physics Demo Notebook.

Tik Liem, "Make an Air Bullet Shooter," Investigation to Science Inquiry, p. 46.

Tik Liem, "The Smoke Ring Race," Investigation to Science Inquiry, p. 47.

C. L. Stong, "Curious Oscillators That Involve Salt Water, Flame and Hot Wire," The Amateur Scientist, (September, 1970).

C. L. Stong, "On a Paradoxical Pump, Reversing Cubes, Vortex Rings, and Various Other Matters," The Amateur Scientist, (January, 1965).

F. Reif, "Quantized Vortex Rings in Superfluid Helium," Scientific American, December 1964.

Clarence D. Cone, Jr., "The Soaring Flight of Birds," American Scientific, April 1962, p. 130.

3.07: R. D. Edge, "Vortex Rings," String and Sticky Tape Experiments.

4.74: Jearl Walker, "Vortex Rings From Falling Drops," The Flying Circus of Physics with Answers.

"137. Smoke Rings I," Christopher P. Jargodzki and Franklin Potter, Mad About Physics, p. 50, 193.

"138. Smoke Rings II," Christopher P. Jargodzki and Franklin Potter, Mad About Physics, p. 51, 194.

Cash, Parker, and Taylor, "Make a Sound Cannon," 175 More Science Experiments, p. 15.

H.J. Press, "Sugar Fire," Giant Book of Science Experiments, p. 18.

Janice VanCleave's, "82, Smoke Rings," Chemistry for Every Kid: 101 Easy Experiments That Really Work, p. 176.

Janice VanCleave, "Smoke Rings," 201 Awesome, Magical, Bizzare, & Incredible Experiments, p. 63.

Jearl Walker, "4.103: Smoke Ring Tricks," The Flying Circus of Physics with Answers, p. 105.

Robert Ehrlich, "Vortex Ring," Turning the World Inside Out, p. 108-109.

"Sounds Interesting," The Usborne Book of Science Experiments, p. 10.

Mail Questions and Comments to: Dale Stille