Investigating Three Main Ingredients Needed to Create a Cloud in a Bottle

This activity is designed for students to: 1. Create a cloud in a bottle. 2. Observe, describe, discuss the cloud formation. 3. Use the guided inquiry method to answer, "Why does the cloud form?" and "What does this have to do with weather?" The skills of critical thinking, synthesis of ideas, observation, questioning, and writing are developed.
Concepts: 1. Students will discover that three main ingredients are needed for clouds to form: moisture, condensation, and temperature. 2. Evaporation and condensation are part of how a cloud forms.

This activity would work for kindergarten. Younger students may need to be grouped or assisted by the teacher or aide due to the use of matches. This could be done in a self contained classroom or lab. Approximately 15 to 30 minutes. A clear plastic liter bottle with a lid would be needed per group or individual. Matches. Students should know about the water cycle. This activity fits into our SAK Weather Unit in kindergarten. Great activity to link to literature such as Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs or It Looks Like Spilt Milk.

Intro: Clouds in the sky are part of our weather system. Today, we are going to learn about three things needed for a cloud to form. Materials: Clear plastic liter bottle with lid per group. Matches. Students will take the top off their bottle. The teacher will drop into the bottle opening a match that has been lit and cover the top of the bottle quickly. After a few seconds, students can squeeze the bottle on the side of table/compress it and then release. Record their observations. What's happening? Can you see anything happening inside the bottle? You should see a little cloud form. Repeat the experiment until you do. Why does the cloud form? The warm air heats the layer of air it touches. The warm air containing water vapor rises, and then cools. The water molecules cool, slow down and stick together more readily. The particles of smoke act as nuclei for "bunches" of water molecules to collect on. Closure: What does this have to do with weather? Three main ingredients must be present to form a cloud. Moisture, cooling air, and condensation. References: http://eo.ucar.edu/webweather/cloudact2.html

In the past I have used the rubber glove experiment. I have also used ice to create fog in a jar. This activity will be less complicated and more interactive for the students.

Students will complete individual worksheets by tracing the three key words: moisture, condensation, and temperature, and drawing their cloud in a bottle. Each child will have had a turn to observe, squeeze and release the cloud. Students will have to participate in a pair-share.

K.III.B.1 Earth and Space Science - The Water Cycle, Weather and Climate