Tornado Simulation and Impact Understanding

The video discusses the increasing power of tornadoes and the destruction they cause, particularly on Super Tuesday. Wind engineer Partha Sakar from Iowa State University aims to mitigate this damage by designing buildings that can withstand tornadoes. He collaborates with tornado expert Bill Gallas to create a tornado simulator, which helps in understanding the wind dynamics inside a tornado. This simulator is crucial for developing new building designs that can prevent complete destruction by tornadoes.

What is the main concern about tornadoes as mentioned in the introduction?

• They are becoming less frequent.

• They are getting more powerful.

• They are causing less damage.

• They are easier to predict.

What motivated Partha Sakar to address tornado damage?

• The lack of government support.

• The increase in tornado frequency.

• The destruction of neighborhoods.

• The loss of his own home.

What was Partha Sakar's goal in contacting Bill Gallas?

• To create a tornado warning system.

• To design a moving tornado simulator.

• To study tornadoes in the field.

• To develop a new type of wind turbine.

Why is it important to understand what winds do inside a tornado?

• To protect buildings from damage.

• To improve weather forecasts.

• To increase tornado frequency.

• To predict tornado paths.

What is unique about the tornado simulator created by Sakar and Gallas?

• It is the only simulator that can measure moving tornado wind loads.

• It is the smallest simulator ever made.

• It uses real tornado data for simulations.

• It can simulate tornadoes of all sizes.

What was the reaction of people when the simulator was first powered on?

• They were excited.

• They were disappointed.

• They were indifferent.

• They were scared.

What does the simulator's ability to recreate EF5 tornadoes imply?

• It is limited to EF1 tornadoes.

• It cannot simulate real tornadoes.

• It can simulate the most powerful tornadoes.

• It can only simulate weak tornadoes.

How does the tornado simulator differ from past wind tunnel research?

• It is less accurate.

• It reveals circular wind effects.

• It uses digital models.

• It simulates straight-line winds.

What is the potential benefit of the new building designs influenced by the simulator?

• They will be cheaper to build.

• They will be more energy-efficient.

• They will better withstand tornadoes.

• They will be easier to repair.

What does the circular wind of a tornado do to a house?

• It reduces the wind load.

• It makes the house more stable.

• It pulls the roof off like a corkscrew.

• It strengthens the structure.