Tornado in a Jar

This activity is ideal for the elementary school students!

Materials:

• Mason jar with a lid

• Dish soap

• Water

• Vinegar

• Measuring spoons

• Food coloring (optional)

• Iridescent glitter (optional)

Directions: Begin by filling a jar with cold water, leaving 1-2 inches from the top.

Add 1-2 drops of food coloring and/or glitter if desired.

Add 1 tablespoon of dish soap and 1 teaspoon of white vinegar and mix gently. The vinegar just helps to dissolve any bubbles from forming so you can more easily see the "tornado".   

Once the ingredients are combined firmly grip the jar and swirl it around and around. Then, stop!   

What happens? The jar has stopped, and the liquid is still moving—you have made a water vortex, or a tornado, inside of the jar!

EXTRA CHALLENGE: Try this experiment with varying temperatures of water and see how the results change!

Idea by: Seattle YMCA