Try It At Home

What you'll need to make your own cloud chamber:

Clear plastic or glass tank (such as a fish tank) with a properly fitting lid
Felt or other absorbant fabric
Isopropyl alcohol (90% or more)
Dry ice (easily found at grocery stores like Fred Meyer)
Plastic container to hold dry ice (if it's not in block form)

Wear safety goggles and very thick gloves when handling alcohol and dry ice.

1. Cut the felt or other absorbant fabric so that it is the size of the bottom of the tank. Adhere it to the bottom of the tank.

2. Soak the fabric in the isopropyl alcohol until it is saturated. Drain off any excess, since you don't want drops of alcohol dripping down.

3. Prepare the dry ice such that the lid to your tank will lie flat onto it. If it's not in block form, place it in a plastic container. Place the lid on top of the dry ice.

4. Invert the tank so the fabric is now on top, place the tank onto the lid, and make sure the tank makes a good seal with the lid.

That's it! Wait about 10 minutes for the atmosphere in the tank to reach appropriate conditions, then turn the lights off and shine a flashlight through the side.

Project Info

Made by Jacob Torres
Last Revision: Nov. 21st, 2018
Class: Physics 211X (Fall 2018)

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