Condensation on Windows

The window has condensation on it based on the differing temperatures and moisture from outside the window versus inside the window. When water vapor in the air inside the room came in contact with the colder window, the water vapor condensed into water droplets on the window.

Image

Pleasant Hill

Iowa Core Standard

5-PS1-1

Develop a model to describe that matter is made of particles too small to be seen

Driving Question

Why is there condensation on this window?

Probing Questions

Do you think condensation is affected by the time of year it is in Iowa?
What might be possible reasons for the condensation?
Do you think temperature could be a reason for the change?
How long do you think the condensation stays on the window?
Where else might you find condensation early in the morning? Why?

Classroom Suggestions

Students could:

Record, track, and graph what their windows look like when they wake up during different seasons of the year.
Discuss how the weather and or temperature changes are affecting the condensation on the window.

Resources

Laura Candler's Teaching Resources | Investigating Condensation: The site explains different ways condensation and evaporation are linked, along with lessons and printables.
Science Education Research Partnership | Condensation and Evaporation Interactive: The site has experiments and different graphics that explain how condensation and evaporation work.
Your Dictionary | Condensation Examples: This site has great examples of where to find condensation in our real world, and things for students to look for outside of a window.

Contributors

Submitted by Tiffany Filloon.