Clouds & Rain
Phenomenon:
Clouds form in many shapes and sizes. Sometimes rain falls from the clouds.
Student Task:
Construct an explanation for what causes clouds to form and rain to fall.
Model
Students develop a model of a cloud in a bottle.
Students draw a model to describe cloud formation and rainfall on two different scales (bulk, molecular).
Investigate
Students observe how clouds change before, during, and after a rainstorm.
Students measure the amount of rain that falls from the sky in one day using containers with different shapes and volumes.
Obtain Information
Students read to obtain information about changes in matter and energy during cloud formation.
Analyze Data
N/A
Explanation:
Clouds are made of tiny drops of liquid (or solid) water, one thousand times smaller than a raindrop. Clouds form when water molecules (in the form of a gas) begin to stick to each other and stick to particles of dust, salt, or smoke in the atmosphere. As the water changes from a gas to a liquid, heat energy is released (or transferred from the water molecules to the surrounding air). Cloud drops can grow in size under the right conditions. If they get too big and heavy, the force of gravity will pull the water down to Earth's surface.
NGSS Standard:
MS-ESS2-4 Develop a model to describe the cycling of water through Earth's systems driven by energy from the sun and the force of gravity.
Utah SEEd Standard:
Standard 6.3.1 Develop a model to describe how the cycling of water through Earth’s systems is driven by energy from the Sun, gravitational forces, and density.
Recommended Teaching Sequence:
Day 1: Students observe how clouds change before, during, and after a rainstorm. Students measure the rain that falls from the sky in one day using containers with different shapes and volumes. Students give possible explanations for what causes clouds to form and rain to fall then draw a model to support their explanation.
Day 2: Students develop a model of a cloud in a bottle. Students read to obtain information about changes in matter and energy during cloud formation.
Day 3: Students revise or refine their model drawing to better describe cloud formation and rainfall on two different scales (bulk, molecular). Students construct a written explanation for what causes clouds to form and rain to fall.
Formative Assessment:
Use what students have written in their science notebooks as a formative assessment...
Do students understand that ?
Lesson Contributor:
April Mitchell, Science Specialist, Salt Lake City School District