Waiting for the subway, Mr. I.M. Richman slips and falls in a puddle of water.

Above him, he sees water dripping from some pipes. They must be leaking! I.M. Richman decides to sue Pip Peterson, the maker of the pipes.

Pip Peterson asks Science Court attorney Alison Krempel to defend her company. "Our pipes don't leak, Ms. Krempel!"

In Science Court, Alison Krempel calls an expert witness, meterologist Maria Hernandez. "Water in the air condensed on the outside of the pipes and dripped onto the floor. The pipes weren't leaking," says Maria.

"Water in the air? Do you expect us to believe that there is water roaming around in the air?" asks Doug Savage, I.M. Richman's attorney.

Judge Stone and the Science Court jury must decide: Is Pip Peterson guilty of leaky pipes? Or could the water have come from the air?

Science Court challenge question:

Is there water in the air?

Before you answer... try these simple experiments.

Condensation

You'll Need

• 4 identical drinking glasses
• ice water
• a refrigerator and freezer

What to Do

1. Fill one of the glasses with the ice water and set it on a table. Wait briefly.
2. Feel the outside of the glass. How did it get wet? Where did the water come from? Is it necessary for the glass to be filled with water for moisture to form on the outside?
3. Set one of the empty glasses on a table as a control. Place a second empty glass in the refrigerator, and the third in the freezer.
4. After about 10 minutes, remove the glasses from the refrigerator and freezer. Line up the three glasses on the table and record your observations.

Ask
Professor
Parsons

Click Professor Parsons for an explanation of the water cycle.

Make It Rain in Your Kitchen!

You'll Need

• a large hand mirror
• a freezer or ice cubes
• a pot holder
• a kettle
• water
• your parents' permission to use the stove

What to Do

1. Put the mirror in the freezer, or place ice cubes on it to make it really cold.
2. Place water in a kettle on the stove, and bring it to a boil.
3. When the water is boiling, hold the mirror so that the steam (water vapor) is hitting it. Use a pot holder or glove to protect your hand. Steam or hot water vapor can burn your skin. Ask an adult for help using the stove and holding the mirror.
4. Write about what you observe.