Vortex and whirlpool laboratory

Explore rotational flow, vortex cores, inward drainage and the surface funnel produced by a whirlpool.

FLOW STATEDRAINING VORTEX

● Vortex core● Dye⊕ Probe◎ Drain

PROBE VELOCITY0.00 m/s

radial 0.00 · tangential 0.00

VORTICITY0.00 s⁻¹

counter-clockwise

PRESSURE101.3 kPa

lower towards core

SURFACE DEPRESSION0.00 m

rotational free surface

REYNOLDS NUMBER0

drain flow 0.00

WHAT TO NOTICE

Rotation lowers central pressure

A free vortex speeds up towards its finite core. With the drain open, particles move both around and inward; the associated pressure gradient draws the surface into a funnel. Viscosity gradually dissipates the organised rotation.

vθ = Γ / 2πrvr ∝ −Q / 2πrhRe = ρvL / μ

Simplified educational fluid model, not engineering-grade CFD.