ta-da! fog!

The boys have really been into Crash! Bang! Splat! lately - a kids science show that we often Tivo. They love all of the kid performed experiments, and we do a bunch of them each week (perfect for rainy days). We are always on the look out for books, magazines, or websites that have new experiments to try as well. This week, G found one to make fog!

supplies::
black paper & tape
quart or 1/2 gallon canning jar (or other clear glass container)
hot water
match
big bag of ice


1. Tape the black paper on the outside back of the jar, so that there is a dark background to help contrast the fog...G insisted that we wrap the paper ALL THE WAY around the jar, which was perfectly fine too!

2. Fill the jar with hot tap water - let sit 60 seconds.

3. Pour out all but an inch or so of the water.


Quickly -
3. Light the match (grown up!) and hold it over the jar opening.

4. After a few seconds, drop the match into the jar and cover the top of the jar immediately with the bag of ice.


5. Watch!!


G liked how long the fog lasted with this experiment!

the 'how':
The warm water heats the air in the jar - some of the water evaporates too, creating water vapor. The hot air with water vapor rises, and cools off as it comes into contact with the air cooled by the ice. When the water molecules cool down, they slow down and stick together. The smoke from the match just helps bunch the water molecules together more easily...making...fog!