17

Lesson 17 of 84 · Climate

Experiment

Clouds and Weather Prediction

What You'll Learn

Clouds form when water vapor rises, cools, and condenses on tiny particles in the atmosphere. Different cloud types—cumulus, stratus, cirrus—indicate different weather conditions.

Key Words

  • earthquake
  • volcano
  • atmosphere

Materials Needed

  • plastic tray
  • magnifying glass
  • newspaper
  • spray bottle
  • cups

Safety First

  • Keep small objects away from young children.
  • Work in a well-ventilated area when using vinegar or other strong-smelling substances.

Steps

Step 1Read

Read and learn: Clouds form when water vapor rises, cools, and condenses on tiny particles in the atmosphere. Different cloud types—cumulus, stratus, cirrus—indicate different weather conditions.

Step 2Do

Gather your materials and set up your workspace.

Step 3Observe

Use your senses (except taste) to describe what you notice.

Step 4Record

Write a summary of your findings in 3-5 sentences.

Check Your Understanding

Question 1

1 of 3

What is precipitation?