4B70.23 - Cloud Formation by Cooling

Code Number:
4B70.23
Demo Title:
Cloud Formation by Cooling
Condition:
Excellent
Principle:
Temperature rise with increasing pressure
Area of Study:
Heat and Fluids & 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.

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