F4-42: SMOKE RINGS USING GARBAGE CAN

PURPOSE: To create large smoke rings and illustrate the circular vortex.

DESCRIPTION: Fill the garbage can with smoke from the electronic fog machine; it takes a few minutes for the machine to warm up before it can produce good fog. To create giant smoke rings, aim the can and tap the rubber membrane covering the lid opening. Smoke rings are shown below moving along a spotlight beam.

A big smoke ring will be found at the "Smoke ring at Burning Man 2001" web site.

Click SCIENCE HOBBYIST: WHY DOES SMOKE 'RING?' by William J. Beaty for a nice animation of how a circular vortex progresses.

SUGGESTIONS: Make smoke rings move up the spotlight beams in the lecture hall. They can be seen very well, and have enough energy to knock some of the dust and dirt off the shelves on the ceiling of the lecture hall.

REFERENCES: (PIRA 2C50.10)

EQUIPMENT: Garbage can with hole, membrane with rubber hose tie-down, electronic fog machine.

SETUP TIME: 5 min.

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