How to Make VORTEX RINGS in a Pool

TL;DR

Physics Girl creates vortex rings in a pool and discusses the science behind them, including knotting vortices.

Transcript

• [Diana] All right. Nice. Oh yeah! Vortex rings. They're swirling masses of fluid. Smoke rings, bubble rings, sometimes made by dolphins, sometimes tied in knots. We'll get to those later. But sometimes, they're made by crazy Youtubers. Hey, I'm Diana and you're watching Physics Girl. I want to make a vortex ring in the pool. So, my most popular v... Read More

Key Insights

• 😋 Vortex rings are swirling masses of fluid that can be formed in different shapes, such as knots.
• 🫥 The vortex line, the line along which the fluid swirls, cannot end in the fluid.
• 👻 3D printing has allowed scientists to engineer vorticity and create complex vortex shapes.
• 🤔 Knotting vortices was previously thought to be very challenging until recent advancements in technology.
• 🈸 The engineering of vorticity has practical applications in aerodynamics and fluid dynamics.
• 😋 Vortex rings can be formed in both air and water, with different methods of creation.
• 🫥 Understanding the behavior of vortex lines has implications for understanding natural phenomena such as tornadoes and whirlpools.

Questions & Answers

Q: How did Physics Girl create a full vortex ring in the pool?

Physics Girl used a vortex cannon and added food coloring to the front of the vortex to create a full ring in the water.

Q: Can vortex rings be formed in different shapes?

Yes, as long as the vortex line does not end in the fluid, vortex rings can be made in various shapes, including knots and links.

Q: How did scientists create knotted vortices?

Scientists used 3D printing to create wings with specific shapes. By accelerating these wings, they were able to create vortices in the shape of knots and links.

Q: What is the significance of knotting vortices?

Knotting vortices were a long-standing challenge in physics. By successfully creating knotted vortices, scientists have gained new insights into fluid dynamics and the behavior of vortex lines.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Physics Girl successfully creates a full vortex ring in a pool by adding food coloring at the right moment.

• Vortex rings are swirling masses of fluid that can be formed in various shapes, as long as the vortex line does not end in the fluid.

• Scientists have recently been able to create knotted vortices using 3D printing and the engineering of vorticity.