Cloud in a bottle lab
Clouds require key atmospheric ingredients to form.
●
●
●
Water
Dust particles
Temperature or pressure changes
Here's How:
1. Remove the label from your cloud bottle and rinse it thoroughly. Do not use soap and do
not dry the inside.
2. Add a small amount of very warm water to your cloud bottle. Replace the cap and shake
it up so that water droplets are sticking to the inside of the bottle. Pour out the excess
water.
3. Ask the teacher to light a match and drop it into the bottle. Shake it up so the match burns
out.
4. Immediately replace the cap and shake it back and forth 2­3 times.
5. Using both hands, squeeze the center of your cloud bottle as hard as you can. Then,
release both hands evenly and very quickly.
6. After several squeezes you should see a cloud that appears when you release your
hands. If you don't see a cloud, try placing the bottle near a dark background for contrast.
Answer these questions on a separate sheet of paper in complete sentences.
Give 2 reasons why warm water is used in the bottle.
Which essential ingredient for cloud formation does the smoke from the match add to the bottle?
How does squeezing the bottle affect the pressure inside the bottle?
When you release the bottle after squeezing it what happens to the pressure inside the bottle?
What do we know about the air inside the bottle if pressure decreases (think about gaining
elevation)?
Does hot air or cold air hold more water vapor? Does the bottle experiment confirm your
previous knowledge? (explain)