Team 47

Air Vortex Cannon

Question: Why does the air vortex cannon blow air with just a tap and will a larger cannon cause the vortex to travel a greater distance?

Hypothesis:

We predict the reason it works is because when you push on top of the cannon it compresses the air inside the cannon and forces the air out of the hole. We also predict that the larger the cannon the further the vortex will travel.

Our Experiment

Materials:

Wizard Stick/fog machine
Solo plastic cups
Plastic Wrap
Rubber Band
Scissors
Box Cutter
Pretzel barrel/bucket
Garbage can
Bungee cord
Duct tape

Safety Procedures

Material 1: Don't get a paper cut and don't get the wrap stuck on you
Material 2: Don't touch the cut part of the plastic
Material 3: Don't get the fog in your eyes (it's not harmful but just a precaution)
Material 4:Don't touch the sharp part of the blade

Procedure:

1) Use a sharpie marker to trace a circle on the bottom of the container.
2) Use a scissors or box cutter to cut out the
hole.
3) Cover the other side of the container with plastic wrap, secure tightly with rubber band or duct tape.
4) Aim the hole toward the object to be blown over.
5) Tap on plastic wrap membrane lightly.
6) Watch object get blown over!!
7) Repeat with larger container.

Special Needs:
1) It would be better to have our own classroom so we can have the space needed to try the different size air vortex and not interfere with anyone else's display.
2) The "Wizard Stick" is not smoke: Here is description off of selling label: "Blowing Smoke For fun or science. And it's not actually smoke, but a fog created the same way they do for movies and heavy metal concerts. For science experiments and special effects, including making wind tunnels and a vapor-ring blaster."

The Science behind it

Hitting the sides of the cannon compresses the air forcing the air molecules to escape through the hole. Even though it's air, it works as a liquid. Following Bernoulli's principle, when fluid moves fast it has low pressure. The air outside the container is slow so it has high pressure. The high pressure pushes all around the low pressure causing the vortex. You will see the vortex when we demonstrate with fog.

Conclusions

Ryan Grant

Hi! I have 2 brothers, and my favorite subjects are math and science. My hobbies are playing basketball, football and building.

Danny Haigh

My name is Danny Haigh and I'm in Ms. Vita's class. My favorite subjects are math and science, I love animals, and I play football, basketball, and baseball.