Cloud in a Bottle
Materials: ★★☆ Available in most school laboratories or specialist stores
Difficulty: ★★☆ Can be done by science teachers
Safety: ★★☆ Some safety precautions required to perform safely
Categories: Particles and States of Matter, Water Cycle, Weather and Climate
Alternative titles: Mini Water Cycle Cloud
Summary
This demonstration shows how changes in pressure and temperature can create visible clouds. When air inside a sealed bottle containing rubbing alcohol is compressed and then suddenly released, the vapor condenses into tiny suspended droplets, forming a cloud.
Procedure
- Prepare a cork or stopper with a hole through it and insert a ball inflating needle. Add a toothpick sideways to stop the cork from being pushed inside the bottle.
- Pour about 60 ml of rubbing alcohol into a clean, clear 2 L plastic bottle. Seal with the cork stopper.
- Tilt and shake the bottle to coat the inside with alcohol.
- Attach a bicycle pump to the stopper and pump in about four strokes of air.
- Quickly remove the stopper and observe the cloud forming inside the bottle.
- To repeat, reseal the bottle, add more air, and release again.
- Alternatively, twist the bottle to create the pressure rather than using the bicycle pump (as shown in Links)
Links
How To Make A Cloud In A Water Bottle | Simple Cloud In A Bottle | Weather Experiment For Kids - Playing with Rain:
Science at Home - Cloud in a Bottle Experiment - The Sci Guys:
📄 Cloud in a Bottle - Science World: https://www.scienceworld.ca/resource/cloud-bottle/
Variations
- Try with warm water instead of rubbing alcohol (the effect will be less dramatic).
- Compare the speed of cloud formation using different amounts of rubbing alcohol.
- Use a flashlight to shine through the cloud for better visibility.
- Record the cloud with slow-motion video to observe droplet formation more clearly.
Safety Precautions
- Safety goggles required for everyone nearby.
- Use only a small amount of rubbing alcohol—pour excess back immediately.
- Do not over-pressurize the bottle—too much pressure may cause it to rupture.
- Point the bottle away from people when releasing the stopper, as liquid spray may occur.
Questions to Consider
- What causes the cloud to form when the stopper is released? (The sudden drop in pressure cools the vapor, causing condensation into tiny droplets.)
- Why do we use rubbing alcohol instead of water? (Alcohol evaporates more easily, producing a more dramatic effect.)
- How is this similar to cloud formation in the sky? (In both cases, rising air cools and water vapor condenses on small particles to form visible droplets.)
- How do temperature and pressure affect the ability of air to hold water vapor? (Warm air holds more vapor; cooling reduces capacity and leads to condensation.)