Experiment: The effect of increased water vapor on storms
See how the amount of water vapor in air affects the formation of clouds and storms. "Cloud in a jar experiment"
Time: 30 minutes
Level: Beginner
See how the amount of water vapor in air affects the formation of clouds and storms. "Cloud in a jar experiment"
Time: 30 minutes
Level: Beginner
3 empty metal cans ~ 15 oz, or cardboard tubes ~ 3” diameter and ~4” tall
Electrical tape to add friction to edge of tube, and cover sharp edges as needed
3 tea lights, (steady light, not flickering)
3 jars with large openings, size ~ 16 - 24 fluid oz, either plastic or glass
3 metal lids (usually come on the glass jars) or 3 pieces of thin plastic mesh (from a bag of oranges, a shower scrubber, etc.)
Aerosol spray (such as Static Guard, or unscented hairspray)
Digital thermometers (optional)
Hot and cold water
Ice cubes
A dark space to watch the experiment, or a cardboard box to block ambient light
Specifics and purchasing links are on this spreadsheet Materials list for CCSAE experiments
Step 1
Prepare 3 lighted stands for the jars using metal cans or cardboard tubes
Remove bottoms from the cans if possible
Cover top edge of the cans/tubes with electrical tape to prevent jars from tipping over
Collect 3 tea lights with steady light and similar brightness.
Step 2
Create a dark theater to observe the experiment. An empty cabinet or a cardboard box on its side could work well.
The space must be tall enough to fit the jars and the cans or tubes they are standing on.
The jars should be at eye level, so look for a space where observers can be directly in front of the jars.
Block or reduce ambient light by closing doors and window shades.
Step 3
Prepare ice holders from the lids of hte jars
The ice will be at the top of the jar in an ice holder. The ice holder must “conduct cold” from the ice to the air in the jar. (Properly stated, the ice holder must conduct heat from the air in the jar to the ice.)
Metal lids from the glass jars are very good thermal conductors (conductors of heat). If you have metal lids, turn them upside down and place a few ice cubes in each.
Plastic lids from the plastic jars are not good thermal conductors, but can be used to support the ice in a mesh sack.
If you have plastic lids, turn them upside down and place a few ice cubes in each, then secure the ice cubes with pieces of thin mesh. NEED PIC
Step 4
Set up the dark theater, and collect the cans and tea lights
Place the tea lights in the cans
Have the iced lids ready near the cans
Step 5 Prepare the cloud jars
Prepare 3 jars with water in 3 different temperatures.
The water does not need to be boiling or freezing. Hot and cold tap water can be the extremes. Combine the hot and cold water together in equal amounts to find a medium temperature.
Suggested temperatures:
Hot: 120 °F (50 °C)
Medium: 90 °F (33 °C)
Cold 60: °F (15 °C)
Label the jars and fill each with about 1 ½ “ of water
Step 6 Create clouds
Put the jars on top of the cans and the iced lids on top of the jars
Spray aerosol in each jar and cover it with an iced lid
Watch clouds form and compare the 3 jars
Open the lids and watch the clouds emerge. Touch the clouds and notice the temperature
Prepare dark space for viewing, here a cardboard box is used
Put water containers (hot, medium, cold) on cans in box, with iced lids nearby
Spray aerosol in jar and cover with iced lid, then do the same for the other 2 jars
Suggestions:
Rain comes from water vapor in the air
Hurricanes come from water vapor in the air.
Warm air and warm water make hurricanes worse.
The mechanism is evaporation from warm water
We’d love to hear how you used this tool in your community, how the students responded, and your suggestions to improve the experiments and other resources. Contact us at ccsae@mit.edu.