Project

Objective

In this experiment, students will see how clouds can't keep storing more and more water forever, and eventually they get too heavy and the water falls out (precipitates) as rain, snow, sleet or hail.

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Project Details

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Materials

• Shaving cream
• Two clear glass cups
• Pitcher of water
• Mixing spoon
• Food coloring

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Research Question: How much water can a cloud hold?

Experimental Procedure: 

1. Fill one of the glasses with water, about half-way full.
2. Spray the shaving cream into the glass, filling to about 1/2 inch from the top of the glass
3. Using the mixing spoon, flatten the shaving cream to and even layer. You may have to add more shaving cream after flattening.
4. Pour the water into the empty glass cup so that it is 1/2 full.
5. Add 10 drops of food coloring to the glass with just the water.
6. Use the mixing spoon to stir the food coloring into the water.
7. Spoon the food colored water into the glass with the shaving cream, until the glass is empty. Tip: Gently spoon the food colored water on top of the shaving cream and let it flow through the shaving cream on its own.
8. Watch the weight of the food colored water sink toward the bottom of the glass, creating "rain".

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