Tuesday, December 18, 2012

// // 6 comments

Instant Cloud in a Bottle Demonstration


Snow, anyone?  We have relatives that are shoveling snow as I type, but this afternoon, we played outside in  shorts and t-shirts!  Snow, rain, and clouds are all fun topics for preschoolers, and this quick and easy demonstration helps them see how clouds are full of water!


Simple Supplies:

  • clear, glass bottle or jar (mason jars work great)
  • small pot of boiling water (small pots boil faster!)
  • tongs or a hot pad


Easy How-To:

1- Make sure your pot has boiling water and that your children are at a safe distance.  Show them the empty jar and talk about how they can see straight through it.

2- Use a hot pad or tongs to tip the jar upside down about a foot above the boiling water.  Water will collect inside the jar and along the walls.

3- Show your children the cloud and let them watch as it dissipates!

You can also discuss how frozen water makes snow, how water can evaporate from many places to form clouds in the air, how water molecules "stick" to each other forming larger clouds, and how sometimes the water gets too "heavy" and rains or snows down!

It's hard to photograph a "cloud," even if it is in a jar or bottle, but this picture should give you an idea of what to expect.  It is much easier to see the water collecting in real life than in a picture!



I may share at any of these parties!

6 comments:

Melanie said...

So cool! My son loves watching the steam as we drain pasta but I never thought about capturing it!

Katie @ Gift of Curiosity said...

This is great! I am totally going to use this when we do a weather unit.

Unknown said...

Great idea! It's things like the above that makes me want to put that crazy word thing back on my comments!

Merry Christmas!

Ashley said...

Wonderful experiment! A great way to demonstrate fog; pinning for later!

Ashley said...

Just wanted to let you know that as the newest Co-host for Mom's Library, I have chosen to feature your Cloud in a Bottle this Wednesday!

Ashley
www.lifewithmoorebabies.blogspot.com

Carla at Preschool Powol Packets said...

Melanie, I love how this can be done as you're cooking or as a separate lesson!

Katie, That's great! It's a fabulous visual!

Julie, I know, right?! Google is pretty good at filtering out spam, but the ones that get through are really obnoxious. But, I really don't like word verification either... ;)

Thanks so much for sharing, Ashley...and for featuring this week too!! That totally made my day!!