How to Make Cloud in a Bottle

This Cloud in a Bottle teaches kids to make their own cloud and at the same time, teaches them how the cloud is formed. This can be a good idea for kids to try at school as a science fair project.

Age: 3+           Time: <10min

 Safety 

1. Adult supervision.
2. Adult drills the cork for the child.

 Materials List 

• Electric drill
• Plastic bottle
• 95% alcohol
• Cork
• Bike Inflator

 Instruction 

Step 1/3 – Drill a hole in the cork which needs to go in the mouth of your bike inflator. Insert the mouth of the inflator into the cork.

Step 2/3 – Pour the alcohol into the plastic bottle and shake a little bit to coat the inside of the bottle.

Step 3/3 – block bottle mouth with the cork and pump the air in the bottle. (Need adult to hold it with a strong grip.) Continue pumping up until you feel there is strong pressure in the bottle and then, quickly pull out the cork. You have your cloud.

 Troubleshooting 

Why there is no cloud in my bottle? 

—It can be that the pressure is not enough and you need to increase the pressure.  It also can be that you did not pull out the cork as quickly as possible.

What if I do not have alcohol?

—You can use the water but off course, it has a weaker effect.

 Scientific Description 

when the hot gas reduces its temperature, it is more likely to form the fog. We can take the boiling water giving off the fog as an example. When you pump the air into the bottle, the pressure inside rises, which make the temperature inside the bottle to rise. When you release the bottle in a very short time, the pressure decreases, which make the temperature inside the bottle to decrease. The rapid reducing of the temperature makes the alcohol and molecules in the bottle to condense and stick together to form the visible fog. 

 Extensions 

Use the water, instead of alcohol. See if you can make the cloud.