Audience
Educators
Grade Levels
Grades K-4, Grades 5-8, Grades 9-12
Subject
Earth Science, Physical Science, Human Interactions and Environment, Weather and Climate, Energy, Flight and Aeronautics, Forces and Motion
Type
Lesson Plans / Activities
AIRSPACE
Contrails
In this Contrails lesson, an artificial cloud is produced inside a 500 ml flask by using water vapor, smoke as the condensing nucleus, and changes in pressure. The cloud production is similar to how contrails form behind a jet engine. Students will learn how condensation nuclei and water vapor combine to create contrails.
Grade Level: K-12
Time Required: 60 minutes
National Science Standards Addressed:
Science K-4:
- Abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry
- Understanding about scientific inquiry
- Properties of objects and materials
- Position and motion of objects
- Abilities of technological design
- Understanding about science and technology
- Personal health
- Characteristics and changes in populations
- Changes in environments
- Science and technology in local challenges
Science 5-8:
- Abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry
- Understanding about scientific inquiry
- Motions and forces
- Transfer of energy
- Personal health
- Populations, resources, and environments
- Risks and benefits
- Science and technology in society
- Abilities of technological design
- Understanding about science and technology
Science 9-12:
- Abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry
- Understanding about scientific inquiry
- Motions and forces
- Interactions of energy and matter
- Personal community health
- Environmental quality
- Science and technology in local, national, and global challenges
- Abilities of technological design
- Understanding about science and technology
Topic: Clouds, Contrails, Pollution, Phase Changes