Experiment 5
Make Your Own Cloud

Topic: Condensation
Grades: K-3
Subjects: Science in Personal and Social Perspectives

Question: What makes a cloud?

Materials:

• Large tall jar

• Strainer

• Hot water

• Ice cubes

Procedure:

1. Fill the jar with hot water.

2. Pour out most of the water leaving about an inch in the bottom.

3. Fill the strainer with ice cubes.

4. Place the strainer over the top of the jar.

5. Observe the area between the hot water and the strainer.

Conclusion: What happened in the area between the hot water and the strainer? (The cold air met the warm air forming condensation or clouds.) There are several kinds of condensation you see all the time:

• Breath out onto a mirror. What do you see?

• Look at the mirror after your shower. What do you see?

• Put ice cubes in a glass on a warm day. What do you feel on the outside of the glass?

• In the summertime the ground is warm. What happens to the grass when night comes? Can you feel something on the grass? Do you know what it is called?

Extension

Materials: 

• Metal can

• Ice Cubes

• Thermometer

• Food coloring

• Water

Procedure:

1. Fill the metal can 2/3 full with cold water.

2. Add coloring to the water.

3. Add ice cubes to the water.

4. Gently place the thermometer in the cold water.

5. Record the temperature of the water at the start of the experiment.

6. Record the temperature of the water every minute until you see droplets of condensation on the outside of the can.

7. Record the final temperature when this takes place.

Observation:

• What did you observe on the outside of the metal can?

• What happened to the temperature of the water when the condensation appeared?

Conclusion:

1. What is meant by condensation?

2. Where did the condensation come from?

3. Why did you use ice cubes in this experiment?

4. Why did we use food coloring in the water?

5. What is meant by moisture?