How to Show Air Flow in a Wind Tunnel
Wind tunnels are used to determine the strength and flow of wind, and can be employed in a classroom environment. This can teach students the physics behind air flow, as well as its parameters and applications in aeronautics and test equipment for space missions. While air itself cannot be seen in by the naked eye, the flow can be studied by using a wind tunnel containing objects that represent the air's streamline. Make your own wind tunnel and present the physics of air flow to your students.
Things You'll Need
- 3-4 medium-sized cardboard boxes
- Duct tape
- Variable speed fan
- Strings
- Ribbons (25 cm long)
Instructions
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1
Make a wind tunnel from the cardboard boxes. Tape them together with both ends open using your duct tape.
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2
Make one-inch markings on the bottom of the wind tunnel. This is to show the distance an object moves when applying the wind current.
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3
Tape strings inside the boxes, on the ceiling of your wind tunnel. Then tie ribbons onto each string. This will show the drag of the wind tunnel by making the ribbons act like streamlines.
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4
Attach the end of the wind tunnel boxes onto the fan. Use duct tape to seal off the open edges between the end of the box and the fan.
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Turn on the fan. Use different speeds to show the air flow as either turbulent (strong winds) or laminar (smooth winds), indicated by how much the ribbons in your wind tunnel move.
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Tips & Warnings
You can also place objects inside the wind tunnel such as cotton, paper clips or balls to give another visual representation of air flow. You can also use a vapor spray to show a more intricate example of streamlines.
