Hurricane Science Fair Projects

The following sample hurricane science fair projects experiment is meant to give you ideas on how to perform experiments and arrange your project. After trying this hurricane project, take a shot at coming up with additional ideas and procedures for expanding this experiment.

Hurricane Science Fair Projects: Hurricanes and Air Pressure

This hurricane science fair project examines the effects of air pressure on hurricane strength.

Background:

Research information on hurricanes. What are hurricanes? How are they formed? What affects the life of a hurricane? What is air pressure? What effect does air pressure have on hurricane formation?

Hypothesis:

From your research, formulate your hypothesis on the relationship between air pressure and hurricane life. Which type of air pressure, high or low, will cause water in a hurricane to move faster?

Materials: (Adult supervision of kids is always recommended.)

• 2 - Tornado Tubes (includes tornado tube with instructions)

           

            Scientifics Online: Tornado Tube

• 4 - Empty Plastic Soda Bottles
  
  
• Hair Dryer
  
  
• Stopwatch
  
  

Procedure:

1. Gather the materials needed for your hurricane science fair projects experiment. You will need two tornado tubes.

2. Read the instructions for using your tornado tube.

3. Fill one soda bottle nearly to the top with water.

4. Use the tornado tube to connect a second soda bottle to the bottle with water in it. The bottle without water should be on top.

5. Invert the bottles so that the bottle with water is upside down and the empty bottle is right side up.

6. While holding the tornado tube connector, gently swirl the bottles until a vortex (funnel shaped fluid) forms.

7. Time how long it takes for the water in the top bottle to empty into the bottom bottle. Record this in your data table under Higher Air Pressure Trial 1.

8. Repeat steps 5-7 two more times. Record this in your data table for trials 2-3.

9. Fill one of the unused soda bottles nearly to the top with water.

10. Use the hair dryer to heat the outside of the other unused soda bottle for 1 minute. This creates lower air pressure within the bottle. (Adults should supervise younger kids.)

11. Use the unused tornado tube to quickly connect the heated soda bottle to the bottle with water in it.

12. Invert the bottles so that the bottle with water is upside down and the empty bottle is right side up.

13. While holding the tornado tube connector, gently swirl the bottles until a vortex forms.

14. Time how long it takes for the water in the top bottle to empty into the bottom bottle. Record this in your data table under Lower Air Pressure Trial 1.

15. Disconnect the empty bottle from the tornado tube connector.

16. Repeat steps 10-15 two more times. Record this in your data table for trials 2-3.

Record Observations

Air Pressure	Hurricane Lasting Time
	Trial 1	Trial 2	Trial 3
Higher
Lower

Results:

Record your data and compare your results. Which air pressure caused the water to move faster in your hurricane science fair project? Why do you think so? How do air pressure and hurricane strength relate? Explain.

Conclusion:

Summarize what happened in your hurricane science fair projects experiment based on your results. Explain the results of your experiment. Was your hypothesis supported? If not, explain why. Evaluate your experiment and suggest improvements.

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