Motion & Mechanics
Fog Tornado
How does a whirlwind form?
Create a swirling vortex of fog and observe how it moves. This exhibit illustrates how tornadoes and other swirling flows form.
The Science Behind It
In nature, tornadoes form when especially warm, humid air masses rise. Inside a tornado, wind speeds can reach several hundred kilometers per hour. The tornado draws surrounding air masses inward like a powerful suction funnel.