Naked Science Forum

On the Lighter Side => Science Experiments => Topic started by: thedoc on 20/03/2013 18:07:36

Title: Flame Tornado - A Spinning Column of Fire - Garage Science
Post by: thedoc on 20/03/2013 18:07:36

This is one of the most beautiful science demos out there and always makes a big impression, creating a pillar of spinning flame and explaining how a hurricane is formed.

 Read more about this experiment. (http://www.thenakedscientists.com/HTML/content/kitchenscience/garage-science/exp/flame-tornado-a-spinning-column-of-fire/)


Garage science is a blog of science experiments you probably can't or shouldn't do at home

 

Title: Flame Tornado - A Spinning Column of Fire - Garage Science
Post by: johnmuir on 15/04/2010 12:47:18

Fascinating experiment!

It must take lots of work to create these very informative articles, so please tell us what software you use to create the graphics...

Title: Flame Tornado - A Spinning Column of Fire - Garage Science
Post by: daveshorts on 15/04/2010 15:12:42

I draw them in Inkscape
www.inkscape.org
I don't know if it is the best tool for the job, but I run linux and it is free.

Title: Flame Tornado - A Spinning Column of Fire - Garage Science
Post by: johnmuir on 16/04/2010 06:51:38

Many thanks and I run Linux as well - doesn't everyone?

Title: None
Post by: Due on 15/05/2010 20:24:08

What is the fuel source for your flame?

Title: None
Post by: Rodj on 19/06/2010 07:48:53

Centrifugal force? Really?
If you're actually going to explain things, don't throw false notions into the mix.
Inertia exists, centrifugal forces do not. They are only a manifestation of inertia in the local reference frame, as such claiming that "they" are doing this or that is highly misleading. Nothing is acting on the mass to throw it out or its orbit.

Title: Flame Tornado - A Spinning Column of Fire - Garage Science
Post by: daveshorts on 30/07/2010 09:06:43

The flame is fueled using fire/BBQ lighting gel, but any hydrocarbon based fuel that burns with a yellow flame will work well

Title: Flame Tornado - A Spinning Column of Fire - Garage Science
Post by: daveshorts on 30/07/2010 09:10:07

Quote from: Rodj on 19/06/2010 07:48:53

Centrifugal force? Really?
If you're actually going to explain things, don't throw false notions into the mix.
Inertia exists, centrifugal forces do not. They are only a manifestation of inertia in the local reference frame, as such claiming that "they" are doing this or that is highly misleading. Nothing is acting on the mass to throw it out or its orbit.

It doesn't exist in a stationary reference frame, but that doesn't mean that it isn't a useful concept. Centrifugal force is perfectly reasonable to use if you are in a rotating reference frame. It is also a useful intuitive shorthand for 'the air is moving rapidly so in order to make it go around a corner you have to apply a large pressure difference' and so I think educationally useful.

Title: None
Post by: rara on 05/11/2010 13:28:12

im doing a fire tornADO FOR MY SCIENCE PROJECT BUT I NEED TO KNOW WHAT SIZE TURNTABLE TO USE....

Title: None
Post by: Dan on 05/12/2010 18:40:02

What kind of mesh cylinder are you using?

Title: None
Post by: Harsh Singh on 22/02/2011 01:53:28

I believe you meant to say centripetal force as opposed to centrifugal force.

Title: None
Post by: Berr on 25/04/2011 11:51:33

It is not the centrifugal force, it is the centripetal force.

The only force acting on an air molecule is the normal force exerted by the mesh, and other air molecules pushing it. This net force causes a centripetal force.

Centripetal force is not a force itself, it is just a name how the net force seems to act in this certain condition

Title: None
Post by: Gest on 08/06/2016 18:47:42

What will change if the diameter of the mesh will be bigger? Will the flame still grew high but thicker?