Here's an easy science experiment for kids to help them learn about the weather: make fog in a bottle! Best of all, it requires little prep time, almost zero cleanup time and no special materials so it's a good at home science experiment.
So next time your kid writes his name in the bathroom mirror help him understand how fog works with this fog in a bottle science project!
Fog in a Bottle Instructions
Gather your materials and follow the three step instructions!
Materials:
Hot water safe glass jar, or plastic bottle
Water
Ice cubes
Plastic bag
Step by Step
1. Fill a jar or bottle with HOT, HOT water for 60 seconds.
2. Pour out most of the water and then place a plastic bag with ice cubes over the top.
3. Fog will start to form inside the bottle.
Nows here's the interesting part... while the adult will find watching the bottle akin to watching paint dry, the kid will be fascinated with watching how the fog forms, then water droplets form and then water drops run down the inside.
Alternatively you can always fog up a bottle by just breathing into it.
Project extensions
Try these project variations and ask kids to delve deeper into their scientific inquiries!
- Try adding food coloring to the water. Is the fog also colored?
- Does the fog form more densely at the top of the bottle, or near the water? Why do you think that is?
- Before adding the bag of ices, add a few drops of isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) to the water. How does this affect how quickly the fog forms?
- Read this primer on how fog forms and the different types of fog by the National Weather Service. What type of fog do you think is created by this experiment?
Add a literary element to your science explorations with these wonderful weather poems!
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