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
Embedded Files
Materials
3 jars with large openings, size ~ 16 - 24 fluid oz, either plastic or glass
3 metal lids (usually come on the glass jars)
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)
Aerosol spray (such as Static Guard, or unscented hairspray)
Digital thermometers (optional)
Hot and cold water (can be from the tap)
Hot: 120 °F (50 °C)
Medium: 90 °F (33 °C)
Cold 60: °F (15 °C)
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
Procedure
Step 1
Collect 3 glass or plastic jars, about 16 -24 oz. (500 - 750 ml).
Glass jars with metal lids are best, but you can use plastic jars with a metal lid from a similar size jar.
Mark the jars with tape as Warm, Medium, Cool, or Hot, Medium and Cold.
Step 2
Prepare 3 lighted stands for the jars using metal cans (~15 oz) or cardboard tubes (~3” diameter and ~4” tall
Remove bottoms from the cans if possible.
Cover top edge of the cans/tubes with electrical tape to prevent jars from sliding and tipping over.
Collect 3 tea lights with steady light and similar brightness.
Step 3
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 black theater shown here is 14" wide x 12" tall x 8" deep.
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 4
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).
Prepare ice holders using the metal lids of the jars. Turn the metal lids upside down and place a few ice cubes in each.
If you are using plastic jars, find metal lids from other jars of similar size.
Step 5
Set up the dark theater, and collect the cans (or tubes) and tea lights.
Place the tea lights in the cans or tubes and set the cans at the back of the theater.
Have the iced lids ready near the cans.
Step 6
Prepare 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 7
Fill the jars with about 1 ½ “ of water of each temperature.
Stack the lighted cans, the jars with water, and the iced lids.
Place them in the back of the theater.
Step 8
The clouds will not start to form until there are particles for the water vapor to condense. Lift the iced lid about an inch and do a quick spray of aerosol.
Darken the room and watch clouds for in each jar.
Compare the 3 jars, looking for clouds and motion.
Open the lids and watch the clouds emerge. Touch the clouds and notice the temperature.
Record your observations (open this box to see our suggestions)
Identify the physical, chemical or biological mechanism that is happening (open this box after you have an idea)
The mechanism is cloud formation from condensing water vapor
Water vapor condenses into water droplets on condensation nuclei (tiny particles like dust) to form visible water droplets which then accumulate to create clouds
The warm water in the jar heated the air and evaporated into the air, creating warm air with a lot of water vapor. As the warm air rose up and came in contact with the ice or cold surface, the water vapor condensed into cloud particles and began to sink.
Relate this mechanism to climate change
Find the arrow (→) in the framework that represents this mechanism (starts at the cause phenomenon and goes to the effect phenomenon). (Use your printed copy of the framework, or open the one here.)
Pathway for Extreme and Changing Weather.pdfOpen this box to check your connection.
Then go to the Explainer pages to learn more about the Cause and Effect phenomena
Connection 6
Cause: More water vapor in air
What is happening: extra water vapor fuels hurricanes and affects weather patterns
Effect: Extreme weather and changing weather patterns
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.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse