When a particle zips through your cloud chamber, it bumps into atmospheric molecules and knocks off some of their electrons, turning the molecules into charged ions. And just as water molecules cling to blades of grass on cool autumn mornings, the atmospheric alcohol will form cloud-like droplets on anything it can cling to. The air near the bottom of the tank is now supersaturated, which means that it is just below its atmospheric dew point. But as the evaporated alcohol sinks toward the dry ice, it cools down and wants to turn back into a liquid. The alcohol absorbed by the felt is at room temperature and is slowly evaporating into the air. Wait about 10 minutes… then turn off the lights and shine a flashlight into your tank.Īrtwork by Sandbox Studio, Chicago What is happening inside your cloud chamber?.Flip the tank upside down, so that the felt-covered bottom of the tank is on top, and place the mouth of the tank on top of the lid.You might want to have the dry ice in a container or box so that it is more stable. Place the lid on top of dry ice so that it lies flat.Once the felt is secured, soak it in the isopropyl alcohol until it is saturated.Glue it down inside the tank (on the bottom where the sand and fake treasure chests would normally go). Cut the felt so that it is the size of the bottom of the fish tank.Wear thick gloves when handling the dry ice.) Often used at fish markets and grocery stores to keep products cool. Wear safety goggles when handling the alcohol.) You can find this at a pharmacy or special order from a chemical supply company.
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