|
The Ultimate Cloud Demonstration From RODNEY'S HOMEPAGE for Earth Science Teachers at http://formontana.net/home.html This demo is one of my favorites. I use it on the day following the "What's the Recipe for a Cloud?" lab. To get a copy of this lab, go to click here. To view a short video of this demonstration go to my list of video links.
PURPOSE MATERIALS 1. a wide-mouth gallon jar (pickle jar) 2. an uninflated rubber punchball balloon (there is quite a difference in durability among the various brands. . . some work better than others) 3. overhead projector and a darkened classroom 4. rubbing alcohol 5. matches 6. tongs 7. goggles to protect your eyes  1. Put 20-30 ml of rubbing alcohol into the big jar. Put the lid on and then shake the jar for several seconds. Set the jar aside. 2. Cut the balloon off as shown in the photo. 3. Darken the room, turn the overhead projector on, and place the big jar onto the projector. 4. Remove the lid and then use a cloth to dry the rim of the jar. Cover the mouth of the jar with the balloon. Compress the air in the jar for 5-7 seconds by forcing your hand several inches into the jar. Use the other hand to help keep the balloon from slipping off. 5. Expand the air in the jar by pulling up on the balloon. A cloud may form, but without condensation nuclei, it should be minimal. 6. Next, remove the balloon. CAUTION: Put your goggles on now. Before you place the smoking match into the jar, make sure that the flame has been extinguished. The alcohol vapors are flammable! Light a match, blow it out, hold it for 3 seconds to make sure the flame is out. Next, use tongs to lower the smoking match into the jar. Just in case the match is not completely extinguished, keep your hands and face away from the jar as you use the tongs to lower the match. Holding the match with tongs, wave it around inside the jar for a few seconds to get some condensation nuclei (smoke) into the jar. 7. Put the balloon back on, and repeat the compression and expansion. EXPLANATION As the air is compressed, it becomes slightly warmer. It is warmer than the dew point. Then as the air expands, it is cooled to its dew point, and some of the vapor condenses on the smoke particles, forming the cloud. Light from the projector is reflected off of the cloud droplets, so the students will see the impressive white cloud. COMMENTS 1. As air moves upward in our atmosphere, it expands. The cooling caused by this expansion causes clouds to form. Ask the class to offer some reasons why air might begin to rise in our atmosphere. . . . . . . . ANSWERS: . . . . 1) fronts . . . . 2) air is forced up as it encounters mountains . . . . 3) convection 2. When atmospheric pressure is high, skies tend to be clear. When it is low, clouds are more likely to be present. Emphasize this as you are pulling and pushing on the balloon, making the cloud appear and disappear. |
 |
Back to RODNEYS HOMEPAGE for Earth Science Teachers |