ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Vortex

Have you ever seen water swirling down the drain of your bathtub or sink? That swirling motion is called a vortex. A vortex is like a tiny tornado that forms when a fluid, like water or air, starts to spin in a circular motion.

Imagine you're sitting in a big bathtub filled with water, and you start moving your arms around in a circular motion. As you move your arms, the water in the bathtub starts to spin in a circle, and a vortex is formed. The spinning water creates a force that pulls objects toward the center of the vortex.

In nature, vortexes can be found in storms, like hurricanes and tornadoes, where the air and water spin around a center point. They can also be found in rivers, where the flowing water can create a swirling motion. Scientists study vortexes to better understand how they work and how they can affect the environment.

In conclusion, a vortex is a spinning motion of a fluid, like water or air, that creates a force that pulls objects towards the center. They can be found in nature in storms and rivers, and scientists study them to understand their effects on the environment.