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Aerosol Activity: Salty Water

 Volcano erupting and a cloudy sky.

Grade Level: 5-8

National Science Content Standards

Science as Inquiry:
  1. Abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry
  2. Understanding about scientific inquiry
Earth and Space Science:
  1. Structure of the Earth System

Description of Activity

Demonstrate a method of forming aerosols.

Materials

  1. Dark surface that does not absorb water (plate, hand etc.)
  2. Spray bottle with a fine sprayer
  3. Table salt

Procedures

  1. Mix a solution of salt and water. Measurements are not necessary but, dissolve enough salt to create a very salty solution. Pour solution into the spray bottle.

  2. Spray the surface of plate, hand, etc.

  3. Wait until the water evaporates and have students look at the surface sprayed and/or taste what is left on the surface.

Results and Discussion

Students should see a "film" left on the surface that tastes salty. The spray of salt water is an example of an aerosol.

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