Explainers at NYSCI

astrogasmic:

Vortex Rings

A vortex ring, also called a toroidal vortex, is a torus shaped vortex in a fluid; that is, a region where the fluid mostly spins around an imaginary axis line that forms a closed loop. The dominant flow in a vortex ring is said to be toroidal, more precisely poloidal.

Vortex rings are plentiful in turbulent flows of liquids and gases, but are rarely noticed unless the motion of the fluid is revealed by suspended particles—as in the smoke rings which are often produced intentionally or accidentally by smokers. Fiery vortex rings are also a commonly produced trick by fire eaters. Visible vortex rings can also formed by the firing of certain artillery, in mushroom clouds, and in microbursts.

A vortex ring usually tends to move in a direction that is perpendicular to the plane of the ring and such that the inner edge of the ring moves faster forward than the outer edge. Within a stationary body of fluid, a vortex ring can travel for relatively long distance, carrying the spinning fluid with it.

And did you know that even volcanoes can create vortex rings? (If you haven’t seen the post I just linked to yet, where the hell have you been?!)

But it is generally agreed that the finest examples of vortex rings are those created by our friends from Middle Earth, the Hobbits. ;)

(via scienceing)

comaniddy:

Do Plants Talk?

In this week’s episode of Coma Niddy University we talk about plants.

It is known that plants can communicate using light, chemicals, and touch. But do plants talk to each other?

Gardeners tend to grow basil as a companion plant. Apparently basil is friendly, improving the health of its neighbors. Sending positive signals to it’s partners, rooting for its friends. [x]

A study puts this communication to the test. Researchers planted chilli pepper seeds near the friendly basil. The basil however was blocked from all known forms of plant communication. Regardless of the barriers, the chilli pepper seeds germinated faster when close to basil. [x]

Without light, chemicals, or physical touch, how did the plants communicate?

You can [watch my video] to find out!

[Subscribe] to my YouTube channel to join Coma Niddy University.
We have new science videos and songs every week!

theolduvaigorge:

Skeleton Sketches, Peabody Museum of Natural History, Harvard 

• by “miked”

I really dig these sketches. The figures all a bit off and a little goofy but the composition is well thought out. They have character and I like that.

(Source: Urban Sketchers)

(via marge1312)