Code Number: 4B70.23
Demo Title: Cloud Formation by Cooling
Condition: Excellent
Principle: Temperature rise with increasing pressure
Area of Study: Thermodynamics & Planetary Astronomy
Equipment:
Plexiglas box, 200 mL of hot water, wooden matches, 2 gal Ziploc bag, and 2 Liters of ice.
Procedure:
See also: 4B70.23 in Astronomy.
Pour 200 ml of hot water into the bottom of the Plexiglas container. Place the 2 Liters of ice into the Ziploc bag and press out any air. Light 2 wooden matches and throw them into the box with the water and immediately cover with the bag of ice. As the cloud starts to form you should see a convection current that moves from the hot water to the ice bag and back down.
References:
- "Teaching Physics", TPT, Vol. 33, # 3, March 1995, p. 191.
- R. D. Russell, "Demonstrating Adiabatic Temperature Changes", TPT, Vol. 25, # 7, p. 450, Oct. 1987.
- N. David et al., "Monitoring Fog With Cellular Network Infrastructure", Physics Today, March 2015, p. 17.
- H- 230: "Saucer Rain - Produce LNG", DICK and RAE Physics Demo Notebook.
- H- 360: "Cloud in Jug - Pump Up Tire", DICK and RAE Physics Demo Notebook.
- Charles Vivian, "Make Your Own Rain", Science Experiments & Amusements For Children, p. 67.
- "Atmospheric Science", Spring 2004, Science Supplement, or The 2004 World Book Science Year, Grolier Inc., ISBN: 0-7172-1580-6.
- 74, "Drops", Janice VanCleave's Earth Science for Every Kid, p. 164.
- Joey Green, "Bottled Cloud", The Mad Scientist Handbook, Vol. 2, p. 11.