Water, Air and the Weather
States of matter in context,
Use these experiments in combination with those found at States of Matter to supplement any water cycle or weather unit.
Proof of Condensation - Two identical glasses show how cold items and surfaces turn water vapor back into water, also found at States of Matter
Drops on a Penny - We love counting the drops on a penny but this experiment has a twist. Surface tension is a surprising property of water.
The Disappearing Puddle - This shows how fast the wind and sun can turn water into vapor.
The Wind Can Carry Away the Water - Students do the work to make water vapor. We can’t see the wind, but we will see what it can do.
Finally, Proof that the Sun is Hot - An experiment to compare heat and melting with chocolate bars.
Canned Heat - Students feel how a black can will heat up more than a shiny one can. Sunlight heats up bodies of water.
The weather in a nutshell - all the facts you need to know.
1. The sun's heating varies over the earth and with the seasons
2. The differences of air temperature over the earth cause the winds.
3. The rotation of the earth destroys this simple wind pattern, twisting the winds and producing great wind spirals that are known as the high and low pressure areas.
4. Since cool air can "hold" less vapor than warm air, rain and other forms of precipitation are caused by cooling the air.
5. Pressure in the atmosphere decreases with increasing height.
6. Decreasing the air pressure causes the temperature to drop.
7. Clouds and precipitation are caused by rising air; clear weather is caused by sinking air.
8. Rising air in low pressure areas causes clouds and precipitation; sinking air in high pressure areas causes clear weather.
Source:
Gedzelman, Stanley David. The Science and Wonders of the Atnosphere. 1980 , John Wiley & Sons, New York.