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Projects With Evaporating Water

Water evaporation is a scientific process that turns molecules and atoms from a liquid state into a gaseous state. You can learn more about this process through a series of evaporating water projects. Conduct science experiments to understand various elements effecting water evaporation, and create a miniature ecosystem that flourishes with the help the evaporation cycle.

Air Flow
- Discover how air flow affects water evaporation with a comparative science project. Begin by placing the same amount of water into two semi-curved dishes, such as salad plates. Measure and record the weight of the dishes. Place one dish on a table, away from windows, fans and heat sources. This will be your control. Set the second dish in front of a fan that's blowing just hard enough so it doesn't splash the water. Wait a half-hour and weigh the dishes again. Whichever dish lost the most amount of weight held the water that evaporated the fastest.
Temperature
- Conduct a science project to understand the effects of temperature on water evaporation. Fill semi-flat dishes with the exact same amounts of water. Place the first one in a room away from heat or cooling sources, as your control. Set another water dish in front of a heat source, such as by a fireplace or electrical heater. The third plate should be set by a cooling source, such as in the refrigerator or an air-conditioned room. Wait a half-hour and measure the weight of the dishes to see where the most water evaporated.
Surface Area
- Determine if surface area plays a part in the speed of water evaporation. Find two sources that can hold water but with varying surface areas, such as a cup and a plate. Place the exact same amount of water into both and weigh each one. Set the containers side-by-side; make sure they are both in the same environment. After a half-hour, measure the containers to see which lost the most water.
Terrarium
- Create a miniature ecosystem that will be sustained through a water evaporation cycle by building a terrarium. Choose a sealable container for the enclosed environment, such as an empty salsa jar or jam container. Put a layer of rocks and sand on the bottom for filtration, followed by a layer of soil. Place a plant, such as a fern, inside the container and add three to four teaspoons of water. Loosely seal the lid and place the container in a window. Watch as the water is evaporated and rained back down on the miniature ecosystem.

Nature