ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

vortex tube

A vortex tube is a really cool device. It works using air pressure. You start by turning on a device that forces air through a tube. This causes the air to spin very fast around the inside of the tube, kind of like it's in a tornado. As the air spins around, it gets colder on one side, warm on the other. The cold air comes out of one end, and the warm air comes out of the other end. This is how it helps cool down things like machines.
Related topics others have asked about: