24.1 The Atmosphere
24.2 The Sun and the Seasons
24.3 Solar Energy and Winds
24.4 Water in the Atmosphere
24.5 Weather Patterns
24.6 Predicting the Weather
24.7 Climate
Why Do Cold Surfaces Become Wet?
Procedure
Fill a metal pitcher halfway with warm water. Use paper towels to dry off the outside of the pitcher. With a thermometer, measure the temperature of the air in the classroom and the temperature of the water in the pitcher. Record these temperatures. CAUTION Wipe up any spilled water right away to avoid slips and falls.
Fill a 100-mL beaker with crushed ice. Then, pour the ice into the pitcher and stir the ice with a long-handled spoon.
Repeat Step 2 until water begins to appear on the outside of the pitcher. When this occurs, measure and record the temperature of the water in the pitcher.
Think About It
Analyzing data Compare the temperature at which drops of water appeared on the outside of the pitcher to the temperature of the air in the classroom.
Formulating Hypotheses How do you think the water appeared on the outside surface of the pitcher?