An air vortex cannon is a toy that releases doughnut-shaped air vortices — similar to

smoke ring A smoke ring is a visible vortex ring formed by smoke in a clear atmosphere. Smoking, Smokers may blow smoke rings from the mouth, intentionally or accidentally. Smoke rings may also be formed by sudden bursts of fire (such as lighting and i ...

s but larger, stronger and invisible. The vortices can ruffle hair, disturb papers or blow out candles after travelling several metres. An air vortex cannon can be made easily at home, from just a cardboard box.The Vortex Cannon - Student Science
at YouTube. Accessed February 2013. Air cannons are used in some

amusement park An amusement park is a park that features various attractions, such as rides and games, and events for entertainment purposes. A theme park is a type of amusement park that bases its structures and attractions around a central theme, often fea ...

s such as

Universal Studios Universal Studios may refer to: * Universal Studios, Inc., an American media and entertainment conglomerate ** Universal Pictures, an American film studio ** Universal Studios Lot, a film and television studio complex * Various theme parks operat ...

to spook or surprise visitors. PictureOfVortexTakenViaLaserSheet

The

Wham-O Wham-O Inc. is an American toy company based in Carson, California, United States. It is known for creating and marketing many popular toys for nearly 70 years, including the Hula hoop, Frisbee, Slip 'N Slide, Super Ball, Trac-Ball, Silly S ...

Air Blaster toy introduced in 1965 could blow out a candle at . The commercial Airzooka was developed by Brian S. Jordan who claims to have conceived it when still a boy. A feature of the Airzooka is a loose non-elastic polythene membrane, tensioned by a

bungee cord file:Bungee Cord PICT6882a.jpg, Bungee cords equipped with metal hooks A bungee cord (sometimes spelled bungie; also known as a shock cord or an ocky strap) is an elastomer, elastic cord composed of one or more elastic strands forming a core, usua ...

, rather than elastic membranes. This allows a much greater volume of air to be displaced. A large air vortex cannon, with a wide barrel and a displacement volume of was built in March 2008 at the

University of Minnesota The University of Minnesota Twin Cities (historically known as University of Minnesota) is a public university, public Land-grant university, land-grant research university in the Minneapolis–Saint Paul, Twin Cities of Minneapolis and Saint ...

, and could blow out candles at . In 2012, a large air vortex cannon was built for

Czech Television Czech Television ( ; abbreviation: ČT) is a public television broadcaster in the Czech Republic, broadcasting six channels. Established after breakup of Czechoslovakia in 1992, it is the successor to Czechoslovak Television founded in 1953. H ...

program ''Zázraky přírody'' (). It was capable of bringing down a wall of cardboard boxes from in what was claimed to be a world record.

References

External links

Home made vortex cannon
using a cardboard box and a smoke machine from The

URN An urn is a vase, often with a cover, with a typically narrowed neck above a rounded body and a footed pedestal. Describing a vessel as an "urn", as opposed to a vase or other terms, generally reflects its use rather than any particular shape ...

Science Show. {{Commons category Toy weapons Vortices

See also

References

External links