Cloud in
a Bottle
Purpose
To make a cloud in a bottle and to explain how clouds form.
!
Equipment
* clear plastic water bottle with cap. The label should be removed.
* water, cold and hot
* matches
Procedure
1. Pour a little cold water into the bottle.
2. Screw on the cap and shake the bottle vigorously.
3. Squeeze and release the bottle a few times.
Does anything happen inside the bottle?
Describe what you see:
4. Open the bottle and drop a lit match into it.
5. Quickly screw on the cap and shake the bottle vigorously.
6. Squeeze and release again.
Does anything happen inside the bottle?
Describe what you see:
Questions
1. Why does shaking the bottle help the experiment?
2. Why do you think the smoke from the match helps the cloud form?
Repeat the activity using hot water.
3. Does it work better?
Why or why not?
Explanation:
When water condenses, the droplets may form clouds. Particles of dust help droplets to
form. Without some type of tiny particles in the air, clouds would not form. These tiny
particles are called condensation nuclei.
Droplets in clouds are small enough to be supported by the air. The size of these particles
ranges from approximately 5 to 75 microns (0.005 to 0.075 mm). When they join
together to form larger droplets they can no longer float and rain falls. It takes about 1
million cloud droplets to make an average size rain drop.
© Copyright 2010.! M. J. Krech. All rights reserved.
Glue this
Cloud in
a Bottle
Name
in your
Class
© Copyright 2010.! M. J. Krech. All rights reserved.
Purpose:
To make a cloud in a
bottle and to explain
how clouds form.
6. Squeeze and release again.
Does anything happen inside the bottle?
!
Equipment:
* clear plastic water bottle
with cap. The label should
be removed.
* water, cold and hot
* matches
Describe what you see:
Summary Questions:
1. Why does shaking the bottle help the
experiment?
Procedure:
1. Pour a little cold water into the bottle.
2. Why do you think the smoke from the match
helps the cloud form?
2. Screw on the cap and shake the bottle
vigorously.
Repeat the activity using hot water.
3. Squeeze and release the bottle a few times.
3. Does it work better?
Does anything happen inside the bottle?
Why or why not?
Describe what you see:
4. Open the bottle and drop a lit match into it.
5. Quickly screw on the cap and shake the bottle
vigorously.
© Copyright 2010.! M. J. Krech. All rights reserved.
Explanation:
When water condenses, the droplets may form clouds.
Particles of dust help droplets to form. Without some type of
tiny particles in the air, clouds would not form. These tiny
particles are called condensation nuclei.
Droplets in clouds are small enough to be supported by the
air. The size of these particles ranges from approximately 5
to 75 microns (0.005 to 0.075 mm). When they join together
to form larger droplets they can no longer foalt and rain
falls. It takes about 1 million cloud droplets to make an
average size rain drop.
Right Side
Cloud in a Bottle
Reflection
Draw:
Explain:
Draw a cloud in this Bottle. Be sure to draw
whatever else is necessary for the formation of a
cloud! Then briefly explain how a cloud is formed.
© Copyright 2010.! M. J. Krech. All rights reserved.
Right Side
Cloud in a Bottle
Reflection
Draw:
Explain:
Draw a cloud in this Bottle. Be sure to draw
whatever else is necessary for the formation of a
cloud! Then briefly explain how a cloud is formed.
© Copyright 2010.! M. J. Krech. All rights reserved.