Cloud Formation Lab
Purpose: You determine
Procedure
Remove the label from a two-liter soda bottle. Add approximately 10 mL of room temperature water
to the bottle and replace the cap. Shake the bottle to distribute the water on the interior surface and let it
stand for at least a few minutes. This will allow time for some of the water to evaporate. Uncap the bottle
and obtain a smoking match from your teacher. Immediately toss it into the bottle. Quickly cap the bottle
very tightly, trapping some of the smoke from the extinguished match. Using both hands, squeeze the
bottle. The pressure in the bottle will increase significantly. Quickly release your grip and observe the
bottle interior. A cloud will form. Qualitatively observe the density of the cloud. Empty out the bottle.
Repeat this procedure, with the following variations in the specific order:
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Use room temperature water and two matches
Use room temperature water and three matches
Use 5 mL of room temperature water
Use 20 mL of room temperature water
Use warm water
Use cold water
Use a piece of ice
Use room temperature water and spray in air freshener before putting in the match
Analysis Questions
1. What affect does temperature have cloud formation?
2. What affect does water amount have on cloud formation?
3. Cloud seeding a procedure in which condensation nuclei are sprayed into the air, increasing the rate
of condensation? Which variation was similar to cloud seeding? Was it effective?
Conclusion
In your conclusion, you should summarize the lab and its results and mention any problems. In
this conclusion, you should list which variations results in the largest cloud formation to those that resulted
in the least cloud formation. Make sure to mention any and all problems or errors you had with the lab
(from measurement problems to more serious problems with the lab).