Creating a miniature water cycle in a jar is a fun and educational science experiment. Here's how you can do it, based on the provided instructions:
Steps to Build Your Water Cycle Jar:
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Prepare the Jar: First, decorate your jar to visualize the different parts of the water cycle. On the bottom part of your jar, draw waves or the sea. Then, on the top half, draw clouds and the sky. This will help you see how the water moves in the mini-cycle.
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Add Hot Water: With adult supervision, carefully pour one cup of boiling water into the jar. The boiling water will act as the energy source, similar to the sun in the actual water cycle.
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Seal the Jar: Place a plate on top of the jar to seal it. This creates a closed environment for your miniature water cycle to function.
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Create "Cooling": Put five ice cubes on top of the plate. The ice cubes will cool the air inside the jar, causing the water vapor to condense.
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Observe: Now, watch your glass carefully. As the water goes through the cycle, you'll see the hot water evaporate, then condense on the plate, and eventually rain down back into the jar.
How the Water Cycle Works in Your Jar:
| Stage | Description |
|---|---|
| Evaporation | The boiling water heats up, turns into water vapor (gas) and rises in the jar. |
| Condensation | As the water vapor rises and hits the cold plate, it cools and turns back into water droplets. |
| Precipitation | The water droplets then become heavy and fall back down to the bottom of the jar, like rain. |
This simple setup will demonstrate the continuous cycle of evaporation, condensation, and precipitation just like the earth's natural water cycle.
