March marks the beginning of tornado chasing season, and residents of the Ozarks are all too aware of the devastation tornadoes can cause. According to Dr. Emmett Redd, professor of physics at Missouri State University, the inner workings of this natural phenomenon highlight the principles of physics.
“Physics studies all sorts of mechanical processes and fluid flow. Most people don’t think of air as a fluid, but technically both gases and liquids are fluids. And fluid flow is what a tornado is about,” he said.
Redd became interested in improving tornado detection and alert systems after a 1988 storm almost blew his truck off of a bridge. Weather alerts were broadcast minutes later as he was composing himself – after the storm had already passed. For a few years, Redd researched and tried to develop technology to effectively serve as a tornado detector.
For more information on the physics behind tornado development, contact Redd at (417) 836-5221.
“Hot Topic – Expert Source” releases are a tool the office of university communications provides to assist media in locating a university source to comment on a particular subject or issue. The opinions expressed by the expert are those of a specific individual and are not necessarily representative of the views of the university.
#
College of Natural and Applied Sciences
The College of Natural and Applied Sciences incorporates more than 20 undergraduate and 13 graduate programs along with one cooperative program offered through a partnership with Missouri S&T. The academic departments that make up the college include: biology; chemistry; computer science; engineering; geography, geology and planning; hospitality and restaurant administration; mathematics; and physics, astronomy and materials science. Students have the opportunity for intense hands-on research and internships through a number of outreach and research centers and work alongside faculty who are producing cutting-edge research in their fields.
About Missouri State University
Missouri State University is a public, comprehensive metropolitan system with a statewide mission in public affairs, whose purpose is to develop educated persons. The university’s identity is distinguished by its public affairs mission, which entails a campus-wide commitment to foster expertise and responsibility in ethical leadership, cultural competence and community engagement.
New media resources
For more information about MSU, visit www.missouristate.edu. You can also like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, add us to your circle on Google+ and see what’s happening on YouTube. Receive notification of Missouri State news releases as soon as they are posted by subscribing to our RSS feed.