Snowstorm In A Can
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- Two cans one very large (or a pail) and one smaller.
- Ice
- Salt
- Towel
- Your Breath
Put some ice mixed with salt in the bottom of the larger can. Place the
small can on the ice so that its top is level with the top of the larger can.
Pack ice and salt in the space between the cans. The large can will grow
very cold, so it is a good idea to wrap a towel around it to protect your
hands. Soon the air in the small can will become very cold. When you
breathe into the small can, the cold will condense the water vapor in your
breath into a cloud.
were dropped into certain clouds that would normally be too warm to form
were dropped into certain clouds that would normally be too warm to form
snow, water vapor would freeze into tiny crystals. These crystals would
grow, and eventually become snowflakes. Particles of silver iodide are
also used for the same result.
also used for the same result.
You can duplicate this by shaving off tiny bits of dry ice with a nail or small
file into your cloud. Be very careful not to touch the dry ice. It will cause
severe freezing and serious damage. Once you scrape off a bit of dry ice
into the cloud, shine a flashlight down into it. You should see many tiny
sparkling crystals of ice. Gently breathe into the cloud to add moisture.
Wait a minute or two, and breathe into it again. Eventually enough
moisture will be added for the crystals to grow heavy enough to fall out of
the cloud as very small snowflakes.
Special Thanks
Thanks to Bizarrelabs.com for providing the experiment instructions.
