The Vortex

A vortex is a spinning or whirlpool-like flow of fluid—liquid or gas—that creates a noticeable circular pattern around a central axis. Think of a tornado, a whirlpool in a sink, or a spiral of water swirling down a drain. Vortices occur when forces like differing velocities or obstacles cause the fluid to rotate and develop a central low-pressure area. They are common in nature and engineering, playing roles in weather systems, aircraft aerodynamics, and fluid mixing. Vortices help disperse energy and matter within the fluid, making them fundamental to many physical processes.