Adiabatic Processes: Expansion Cloud Chamber

PIRA Class: 4B70.20

Purpose: 

Demonstrate the condensation of water due to the adiabatic cooling of water vapor. Rising water vapor in the atmosphere experiences a change in pressure that leads to cloud formation.

Description:
The bottle is partially filled with water, which is swished around to create an abundance of water vapor in the bottle. Then a match is lit and dropped in the bottle, creating smoke that will later initiate nucleation. We cork the bottle and pump air into it.

At some point the cork cannot contain the pressure and pops out. This causes a sudden change in pressure which the water vapor responds to by cooling and forming droplets.

Equipment:

2 L bottle with bracket, cork and tube, water - from the tap, bike pump with cork assembly, matches (optional)

Web Simulation:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXcYJnVCZpM 

Location:
Shelf 131 (bike pump), 133 (bottle), 265 (matches)