TY  - JOUR
PY  - 1970//
TI  - Miniature whirlwinds produced in the laboratory by high-voltage electrical discharges
JO  - Science
A1  - Ryan, R. T.
A1  - Vonnegut, B.
SP  - 1349
EP  - 1351
VL  - 168
IS  - 3937
N2  - Laboratory experiments showed that under certain conditions of vorticity the electrical heatinig produced by a high-voltage discharge at atmospheric pressure can cause the formation of a miniature tornado-like vortex. Once it forms, this vortex stabilizes the electrical discharge along its axis and changes its character from that of a spark to high-pressure variety of a glow discharge. Electrical and dynamic parameters were measured. By relating observations and measurements made in these experiments to previous work and to analogous situations in nature, it is concluded that the heating produced by electrical discharges in a large storm may play a significant role in forming and maintaining natural tornadoes.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 0036-8075
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/science.168.3937.1349
ID  - ref1
ER  -