Vacuum That Cloud?
This challenge explores the nature of clouds by attempting to "vacuum" a homemade cloud in a jar. Families will discover what clouds are truly made of and how a vacuum cleaner interacts with something so light and airy.
The lesson goal is this lesson will help you understand that clouds are made of tiny water droplets or ice crystals. You'll discover why a vacuum cleaner can't effectively "catch" something so light and airy, and how evaporation and condensation work together to create these amazing formations.
What You Need
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Learning Guide
Step-by-step guidance. No preparation required.
- 1
Introduction: Steam and Dreams5 Min
- Notice steam from breakfast. Ask: 'Can you vacuum a cloud? What's your first guess?'
- Move on when Student shares initial thoughts on whether a cloud can be vacuumed.
Photo by Irbaf photo on Pexels - 2
Explore & Plan: Our Cloud Factory8 Min
- Gather a clear jar, hot tap water, ice, and the vacuum cleaner.
- Ask: 'How can we make a cloud in our jar? What do you predict will happen?'
- Move on when Student has gathered materials and made a prediction about the experiment's outcome.
Photo by MART PRODUCTION on Pexels - 3
Discussion: What Clouds Are Made Of6 Min
- Explain water vapor, condensation, and what a cloud is. Explain how a vacuum works.
- Ask: 'Knowing what clouds and vacuums do, what do you think will happen now?'
- Move on when Student can explain that clouds are tiny water droplets and describe how a vacuum cleaner creates suction by moving air.
Photo by Adriaan Westra on Pexels - 4
Activity: The Vacuum Test9 Min
- Pour hot tap water into the jar, swirl, then place ice on the lid.
- Wait for the cloud to form. Use a flashlight to see it clearly.
- Remove the lid and vacuum the cloud. Ask: 'What happened?'
- Move on when Student has observed the vacuum's effect on the homemade cloud.
Photo by Castorly Stock on Pexels - 5
Summary: Cloud Catching Conclusions2 Min
- Ask: 'Can you really vacuum a cloud? What did our experiment teach us?'
- Move on when Student shares one key takeaway about why clouds cannot be vacuumed or what they are made of.
Photo by Abdullah Öğük on Pexels
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