4B20.15 • Convection: Rotating Convection

Location: Cabinet 4

Concept Conveyed:

• This demo consists of a rotary platform which spins a bowl of water.
• When rotating, the inertial forces in the fluid are weaker than the Coriolis forces causing the droplets to form little vortices or "tornadoes" parallel to the axis of rotation called Taylor Columns.
• Objects in rotating frames of reference experience non-inertial forces.

Instructions / Notes:

• Allow the demo to run for 5-10 minutes before use so the water has time to uniformly rotate with the platform!

Photo Shows the Demonstration used by the University of Texas at Austin

Demo Staff:

• Turn on demo to 33 RPM before leaving room to allow the water time to uniformly rotate before the professor uses the demo.
• Be sure to provide food coloring.

Last updated on April 27, 2026