In this blog you are reading for “how is rain formed,” we will explore the fascinating journey of water from Earth’s surface to the skies and back again as precipitation. Rain, a vital component of the water cycle, sustains life on our planet and shapes the landscapes we inhabit. By understanding the intricate process behind rain formation, we gain insights into the dynamics of our atmosphere and the interconnectedness of Earth’s systems. Join us as we unravel the mysteries of rain formation and delve into the science that governs this essential natural phenomenon.
Natural phenomena are always beautiful and are topics for which questions arise very early. To help explain the rain, we will present some interesting ways which will arouse the interest of children and help them understand why and how it rains. These last few weeks I have noticed that many adults have difficulty understanding the concept of rain as something that happens because of the laws of nature and not as a result of a supernatural or magical intervention.
When water in nature (seas, oceans, lakes and rivers) heats up, it begins to evaporate. This is because water is made up of tiny particles called molecules. When water is liquid they move, but at the same time are connected to each other. When water is heated, the molecules begin to move faster and move away from each other and consequently the water turns to steam. The steam is light and rises high in the sky. When you get up there, you meet the cold air, because the higher you go towards the sky, the colder the air is. When it reaches cold air, the steam begins to cool, and its molecules begin to approach each other just like living things do when they are cold. This process is called condensation. As the molecules approach and form small droplets of water, they appear to us as a white mass. This is more or less the same as smoke that seems to us like a gray mass. During this time the cloud moves and travels, carried by the currents of air and wind. In the cloud, small droplets of water meet each other, merge, and form larger droplets. These drops are too heavy to stay in the sky and therefore fall to the ground. The fall of these points is called rain.
EXPERIMENT 1 (AGE 2+, WITH THE HELP OF PARENTS)
You will need:
- a glass,
- water,
- shaving cream,
- food coloring
First fill the glass with water. Put a little shaving cream on it, enough to cover the surface of the water. To the child, it will look like water is the atmosphere and foam is the clouds. Pour a few drops of food coloring over the foam and watch as they pass through the foam and begin to spread in the water. This will present rain. If children find it difficult to relate clouds to foam and color to rain, try experimenting outside, showing them the clouds and explaining them in words they know.
EXPERIMENT 2 (AGE 5+, WITH THE HELP OF PARENTS)
You will need:
- a glass or glass jar,
- hot water,
- one plate,
- ice cubes
Partially fill the glass or jar with hot water. This will serve to present the water of the seas, oceans, lakes and rivers which evaporates. Cover the glass or jar with a plate and place ice on top of the plate. This will introduce cold air into the upper layers of the atmosphere, as the ice will cool the air below the plate. Very soon water droplets will start to flow on the walls of the jar. These are condensed water, just like rain.