Final answer:
EF0 and EF1 tornadoes generally have shorter path lengths, often just a few miles, while EF4 and EF5 tornadoes can have path lengths exceeding 25 miles, causing widespread destruction.
Step-by-step explanation:
Typical path lengths for tornadoes vary depending on their intensity. An EF0 or EF1 tornado, which are on the lower end of the Enhanced Fujita Scale representing weaker tornadoes, typically have shorter path lengths. EF0 tornadoes often travel just a few miles before dissipating, and EF1 tornadoes may have a slightly longer path but still not extensive. On the other hand, the more powerful and destructive tornadoes, EF4 and EF5, frequently track over much longer distances. These high-end tornadoes can carve paths over 25 miles long or more, causing significant damage over large areas.
The destructive power of these tornadoes is evident in their ability to blow houses away and pierce tree trunks with debris. The highest winds, reaching up to 500 km/h, occur where the tornado funnel is narrowest. Tornadoes originate from supercells, where a column of air begins rotating around a horizontal axis and then transitions to a vertical axis due to wind speed variation at different altitudes.