Fog in a bottle is a fun science experiment that you can try to make yourself at home. Fog forms when water vapor condenses, creating a haze of tiny water droplets in the air. By mixing hot water with ice, normal or dry, you can recreate this natural phenomenon in a bottle. While this is a fairly simple experiment, you should take some precautions, especially when handling dry ice. You will need protective gloves and adult supervision.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Use Ice Cubes and Hot Water
Step 1. Fill a bottle with hot water and set it aside for one minute
The safest way to make bottled mist is to use simple ice cubes and hot water. To begin with, fill a bottle with hot, but not boiling, water. Just turn on the hot water tap and wait for it to come out hot. Fill the bottle just below the cap and leave it aside for a minute.
Fog forms when hot water vapor comes into contact with cold air. By heating the inside of the bottle with high temperature water, you will create a hot vapor inside it
Step 2. Fill a plastic bag or colander with ice cubes
Take the ice while the bottle rests. Take some cubes from the freezer and place them in a plastic bag or colander. Choose the container according to the type of project you want to carry out.
- For this experiment, some people use glass jars instead of bottles. If you decide to use a small jar, it is best to put the ice in a colander, which you should find in supermarkets. The circular shape of this tool makes it easier to place it on the jar.
- For example, a colander would have a harder time getting into the small openings of water bottles. A plastic bag, on the other hand, which is softer and more flexible, will sink slightly into the bottle, completely plugging the opening. If you have decided to use a bottle, put the ice in a bag.
Step 3. Empty the bottle, leaving only 2.5cm of hot water inside
When 60 seconds have passed, take most of the water out of the bottle. Leave only about 2.5cm of liquid at the bottom.
Now, the air inside the bottle is hot. When exposed to the cold temperature of the ice, fog will form
Step 4. Cover the bottle with ice cubes
Take the plastic bag or colander. Place it over the opening of the bottle or jar. Within seconds, mist should form inside the container.
A strainer should fit over a jar without any problems. Using the plastic bag instead, you may need to secure it. If the bag slips into the opening, try to tape it firmly
Step 5. Resolve any problems
If the fog does not form, check all the steps. It is possible that the opening is not completely covered, preventing the cold air produced by the cubes from interacting with the hot water vapor inside the bottle. Also, the water may not be hot enough to create fog. Try repeating the process, using higher temperature water and a larger bag or strainer.
Method 2 of 3: Try Dry Ice
Step 1. Buy dry ice
To make a thicker fog, try using dry ice (solid carbon dioxide). You can buy it on the internet, in many sizes and quantities. You don't need much, so choose the smallest package you find.
If you are unable to shop online, ask an adult to buy dry ice for you. In general, it is a good idea to have adult supervision when using dry ice, as dry ice can be dangerous if handled incorrectly
Step 2. Purchase the other necessary items
This project is slightly more complex than the one using normal ice, because dry ice poses a potential hazard. Before you start, make sure you have everything you need. In addition to dry ice, you will need:
- A plastic bottle. Any plastic bottle, for example water or soda, will do. Avoid using glass jars with dry ice; for the experiment to be effective, a smaller opening is needed.
- Thick gloves and pliers. Dry ice is very cold and can cause severe burns if handled unprotected, with bare hands.
- A hammer to crush the ice into small pieces.
Step 3. Pour hot water into the bottle
Fill the plastic bottle one-quarter of its volume with hot, but not boiling, water. For the experiment to be successful, just open the hot water tap and wait for it to reach maximum temperature.
Step 4. Break the dry ice into small pieces with the hammer
Be sure to wear gloves and a long-sleeved shirt to avoid direct contact with dry ice. If you are very young, ask an adult to break it for you.
Step 5. Pour the ice into the bottle using the tongs
Once you have broken the dry ice into small pieces, insert a few into the bottle with tongs. A couple of pieces should be enough to form a thick mist in the bottle.
Step 6. Play with bottled mist
Once it has formed, you can play with it. Squeeze the bottle lightly, so that small circles of mist come out. If the smoke starts to fade, add another piece of dry ice.
- Be careful when playing with the bottle. Avoid accidentally spilling the contents. It is a good idea to keep your protective gloves on when you squeeze it.
- If the water gets too cold, pour it into the sink, then add more hot water and repeat the process.
- Always avoid covering the bottle. If you put dry ice in a sealed container, it will fill with gas until it explodes.
Method 3 of 3: Take Precautions
Step 1. Use protective gloves when handling dry ice
This material is extremely dangerous when taken with bare hands. Since it has a very low temperature (reaches up to -78.5 ° C) it is very harmful to the skin. If you touch it with your hands, you risk severe burns, so always wear protective gloves, made of fabric or leather. You can also protect yourself effectively with oven pot holders.
Step 2. Use and store dry ice in well-ventilated areas
Although carbon dioxide vapors from dry ice are non-toxic, they can alter the oxygen percentage of a closed room and make breathing more difficult. Therefore, it can be dangerous to use or store this material in a small and enclosed space, such as a cellar or a car.
Dry ice vapor has a tendency to descend and stop near the floor, so it can be dangerous for small children and pets. The problem is less severe in well-ventilated areas
Step 3. Store dry ice carefully
You probably won't use it all in one science experiment. Make sure you store this material properly once you are done making bottle mist.
- Store dry ice in an insulated container that is not completely airtight. As mentioned above, hermetically sealed containers would explode due to the pressure of the gas that develops inside.
- Do not store dry ice in the freezer or refrigerator. The temperature inside the appliance would drop to the point of causing it to shut down.
- Keep dry ice in a well-ventilated area.
Step 4. Treat burns promptly
During the operations required to make the mist in the bottle, you may be scalded by hot water or dry ice. Many burns can be treated at home. Put the injured skin under cold water for about 10-15 minutes or as long as it takes to relieve the pain. Then, take other steps to treat the burn.
- Remove all objects, such as rings, from the burn area. If you have blisters, avoid breaking them. If they do open anyway, clean them with mild soap and water.
- Apply aloe vera gel to the burn so it doesn't dehydrate. If you are in a lot of pain, you can also take an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as ibuprofen.
Warnings
- Keep the necessary for the experiment out of the reach of animals and small children.
- When using dry ice, it is a good idea to ask for adult supervision. Dry ice is pretty safe if you take proper precautions. An adult can make sure you handle this material safely.
