Home / Fun with Clouds / Cloud Activities
Scroll down to learn how to do some creative cloud activites.
Right now we only have one activity, but more will come soon. |
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See if you can correctly name each type of cloud.
1. Get a piece of paper and write down the numbers 1 through 11.
2. Using these names to correctly name each cloud type in the image below.
altocumulus - Middle-level, medium-sized puffy clouds.
altostratus - Middle-level, layered clouds.
cirrocumulus - High-altitude, small, wispy, patchy, puffy clouds.
cirrostratus - High-altitude, thin, wispy clouds in layers.
cirrus - High-altitude, thin, wispy clouds.
cumulonimbus- Large, dense, towering clouds that cause thunderstorms.
cumulus - Low, puffy clouds.
fog - Ground-hugging clouds.
nimbostratus - Low, dark, rain cloud.
stratus - Low, layered, horizontal, wispy clouds with a flat base.
stratocumulus - Low clouds, broad and flat on the bottom, puffy on top (higher than cumulus and lower than altocumulus). |
3. After you are done, scroll all the way down this page to see the answers.
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Make Fog in a Jar |
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What You Need |
Black paper
Gallon jar
Colored warm water
Matches
Gallon size bag of ice |
What You Do |
1. Tape the black paper on the back of the jar, so you can't see through the jar.
2. Fill one third of the jar with colored warm water.
3. Light the match 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 with the bag of ice.
5. Record your observations. |
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What's Happening? |
Can you see anything happening inside the jar?
You should see a little cloud form. Repeat the experiment until you do.
Why does the cloud form?
The warm water heats the layer of air that it touches. Some of the water evaporates into the air forming water vapor. The warm air containing water vapor rises, and then cools, as it comes in contact with the air cooled by the ice. When the water molecules cool, they slow down and stick together more readily. The particles of smoke act as nuclei for “bunches” of water molecules to collect on. This process is called condensation. |
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What Does This Have To Do With Weather? |
| As the atmosphere (air) cools, water vapor suspended in the atmosphere condenses into water droplets around condensation nuclei (tiny particles of dust, ash, pollutants, and even sea salt). |
Answers for the Fill in the Blank are below!!
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