Whirlpools!

Whirlpools are generally found in large bodies of water. Whirlpools since ancient times have invoked mysticism and wonder. Whirlpools actually belong to a member of the study of Fluid Dynamics, which consists of other members such as tornadoes, hurricanes, cyclones etc. We seek to replicate a miniature version of this fascinating phenomenon in our experiment.

The Science involved with a whirlpool Whirlpools are generally formed by rising and falling tides in the ocean. They may exhibit a downdraft, a downward force. Whirlpools are formed by ocean currents that move in opposite directions. Any time water flows through a narrow path, it forms at least a partial whirlpool. As the water

passes through the narrower opening, it accelerates and forms a more powerful force. If the downstream area then enlarges, it can mature into a complete whirlpool. As water is pulled into an opening by gravity, it begins to spin. As the water is pulled down into the opening as an effect of the gravitational pull of the Earth, the water particles fight for the smaller space and push each other to the side. This pushing and nudging by itself would not necessarily cause the water to spin. Once this begins, it intensifies and forms a cavity in the center of the drain. The cavity creates a vacuum into which objects such as bubbles, water molecules, and other floating objects are pulled. As these objects are sucked into the vortex, the centrifugal (outward) force maintains the hole in the middle through which air passes. This eventually forms the full structure of a whirlpool, consisting of a free vortex and a downdraft.

This picture shows the hole in the middle of the whirlpool, where the air passes through. How our experiment works Our experiment makes use of a water pump to overcome the force of gravity. 1. 2. Water from a glass tank will be channelled through a clear plastic water hose. Water is pumped through a large purple funnel and the cyclone tube to

provide the shape of the whirlpool. From a top view, a whirlpool can be observed in the funnel. 3. bottle. 4. A slit is being made in the support (metal bowl), to allow the water to escape Water that moves out of the bottom of the funnel will move into a clear coke

from the coke bottle. 5. The water will return back to the glass tank and the water will flow towards the

water pump. The cycle starts all over again.

How does the prototype produces the whirlpool? When the flows out of the water hose, the water initially moves in a circular path around the interior of the funnel. The shape of the funnel provides a narrow path that produces the partial whirlpool. This is because when the water is pulled into an opening by gravity, it begins to contribute a vertical component of motion, which results in a helical path. As the water passes through the narrower opening, both the horizontal and the vertical components accelerate and form a more powerful force.

The region of increasing force eventually matures into a complete whirlpool. Whirlpools that we see:

The Saltstraumen maelstrom (Maelstroms is a more destructive form of whirlpools)

Giant Whirlpool as an effect of the 8.9 magnitude earthquake in Japan, 8 March 2011