MAKE A CLOUD IN BOTTLE

Materials:

1 - large mouth glass jar
1 - balloon which has been slit open (to form a sheet of rubber)
1 - rubber band that will fit over the mouth of the jar
talcum powder or chalk dust
cold water

Procedure:

1)  Make sure the jar is clean and pour about 1 inch of cold water into the bottom.

2) Cover the mouth of the jar with the piece of rubber and hold in place with something heavy
    like a book or piece of wood.

3) Wait about 15 minutes and remove the book along with the piece of rubber.

4) Dump a spoonful or chalk dust or talcum powder into the jar and quickly replace the
    rubber over the top.

5) Use the rubber band around the jar mouth to hold the piece of rubber in place.

6) Use your fist to push down on the rubber until it is depressed a little way into the jar. Hold your
    fist there for 15 seconds and quickly remove it. 

What's Going On?

    By pushing down on the rubber, the air inside is compressing and warms, therefore it is able to hold more water vapor. When you release your fist, the air will cool, and not hold as much water vapor. The excess water vapor in the jar will condense around the talcum power dust or chalk dust, forming a cloud inside the jar.

 

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