30+ min

Using wooden paddles to spin food dye in cups of glycerin allows participants to view the vortex that turning wings can create. The discussion is centred on the fluid dynamics of insect flight, particularly leading-edge vortices in dragonfly flight. 

This demo pairs well with Dragonfly Flight: Waves and Wing Movement. This demo is part of the 2024 SOCK, The Wonders of the Dragonfly.