Vortex Box
Purpose
Demonstrates vortex ring formation and propagation. A fog-filled cardboard box launches visible smoke rings when struck, showing how a sharp impulse through a circular opening produces a toroidal vortex that travels coherently across the room.
Figure 1:
The vortex box apparatus: a cardboard box with a circular opening, fog machine, and wired remote control.
Figure 2:
Filling the box with fog by directing the fog machine into the circular opening.
Figure 3:
Launching a vortex ring by striking the back panel of the fog-filled box.