Investigation

Why is water on the outside of my cup?

Materials Needed: Ice 3 clear plastic cups Water

Measuring cup Masking Tape
Marker Pen or Pencil Paper
Towels

Step 1: Use the masking tape and marker to label three cups, A, B, and C.

Step 2: Carefully measure and pour cup water into each of your three
cups. Wipe the cups with paper towels to be sure the outside is dry.

Step 3: Do not add any ice to cup A. Carefully add one ice cube to cup B.
Carefully add ice cubes to cup C until it is filled almost to the top with ice.

Step 4: Allow the cups to sit for about 5 minutes. Look at the outside of the
cups. Describe what you observe. Use your finger to test for any liquid on
the outside of the cups.

What do you think the liquid is?

Where do you think it came from?
Does one glass seem to have more liquid on the outside than another?
Why do you think is does?
1. After watching your three cups for about 5 minutes, describe the
differences in the amount of moisture on the outside of the cups.

2. How does the temperature of the cup seem to affect the amount of
moisture on the outside of the cup?

So, why is water on the outside of your cup?

Draw a model to explain how water droplets formed on the outside of the
cup.

Work with your group to design an investigation to further test your

hypothesis.