Experiment #2 February 22nd, 2011
Things you will need:
-32 Gallon Plastic Garbage Can
-Duct Tape
-Black Plastic Bag
-Golf Ball
-Bungee Cord
-Fog Machine
-Utility Knife
What you need to do:
Cut a 9”-12” diameter hole in the bottom of a 32 gallon plastic garbage can. Cut a black plastic bag open and wrap a golf ball in the bag. Secure the golf ball within the plastic with either a bungee cord or duct tape. Cover the top or large opening of the plastic garbage can with the plastic bag, aligning the golf ball in the middle of the opening. Attach the plastic bag using duct tape. Use the fog or smoke machine to fill the garbage can with smoke through the small opening. Point the small hole away from you and pull back on the golf ball. The bag should snap just a bit throwing a smoke ring across the room.
What is going on here:
Our vortex cannon generates vortex rings, or rolling donut-shapes of fluid which move through the air, (another fluid). Because of the way they rotate, a vortex ring can hold itself together and travel quite a distance.
