Period+7+Group+2

Response to Investigation 6 Essential Question(s)**
 * Period 7 Group 2

We can determine that there is water vapor in the air by putting a cup of ice water, dyed green with plastic wrap on top, out in air that is warmer than the water. We know water vapor gets in the air through evaporation. We know this because of the water in the air lab and analysis, along with the experiment we did in class with the water drop on our hand. In the air lab we had a cup of ice water dyed green, and also had another cup of ice water for our controlled variable. They both had plastic wrap on top. We know water vapor is in the air, because normal-colored water condensed on the outside of the green ice water cup. The water on the outside was not from the inside of the cup. The condensation was NOT green, so we know the water came from the air. Water vapor condenses to a colder surface, which was the ice water cup, and so the water vapor in the air gave it's energy to the colder cup. The water vapor then lost energy and transfered to a liquid state condensing on the side of the cup. This happened because the water vapor lost energy, slowed down in molecular motion, reached dew point, (which means the air was fully saturated), and only then, can the water vapor condense to the cup. Water vapor can get in the air through evaporation. We know this because of the experiment we did with water on our hand. We put a small water droplet on our hand and the water evaporated. It evaporated because the heat from our hand gave it's energy to the water which in turn, gained molecular motion, increased energy, and once the water on our hand got hot enough, it transfered to a gas state, and evaporated into the air.

Dew point is the temperature at which the air is fully saturated AT A CERTAIN TEMPERATURE. Dew Point is measured by using a chart. We know this because we read the "Dragon's Breath" article. In the article it talks about how when the relative humidity is at 100% the air is holding the highest amount of water vapor it can, at that temperature. This is when the air is fully saturated, and the air has reached dew point. Dew point is when the temperature is right, that water vapor can condense onto grass, bottles, cups, ect. In the article it also had a chart which had amount of water and the temperature at which it would be saturated, also known as the dew point.

Humidity is water vapor in the air and relative humidity is the amount of water vapor in the air, compared to the amount of water vapor the air can hold at a certain temperature. Humidity is measured by using a Wet and Dry Bulb thermometer and Humidity Calculator. We know this because we read the Article "Dragons Breath". This article told us that humidity was water vapor in the air and also that if the air was warmer it could hold more water vapor. This article explained that relative humidity is shown as a percent, and once it hit 100% relative humidity, that is when the air can hit dew point. Relative humidity can be found by using a wet and dry bulb thermometer. You take the temperature of the wet bulb and subtract the temperature from the dry bulb. The difference is then recorded and you go to your Humidity Calculator and find the point where the difference meets the orignal temperature of the dry bulb.

Clouds form by water evaporating into the air and condensing onto condesation nuclei. Dew forms when water vapor condenses onto a colder surface. We know this because of the Clouds and Precipitation lab. This process starts when water gains energy from the sun, and changes into a gas state, also known as evaporation. Once the air saturates and the temperature drops to due point. Once it's at dew point, the air is saturated and condensation nuclei is in the air from smoke or pollution, then water vapor will start to condense onto the condensation nuclei and a cloud will form, because many particles of condensation nuclei joined together. When the water vapor in the air transfers it's energy to the colder surface like grass it will lose energy and transfer to a liquid state, and joining onto that colder surface forming what we know as dew.