Final answer:
Smoke contributes to cloud formation by providing condensation nuclei, which are surfaces for water vapor to condense upon, forming water droplets and visible clouds.
Step-by-step explanation:
The presence of smoke likely contributed to cloud formation because smoke particles can act as condensation nuclei. Clouds form when water vapor in the air cools and condenses onto small particles in the atmosphere. Smoke provides plenty of these microscopic surfaces for water vapor to condense upon, facilitating the transition from a gas to a liquid state. This results in the formation of water droplets that eventually become visible as a cloud.
In an experiment with cold or hot water with a match lit and extinguished in the container, the presence of the smoke increases the number of condensation nuclei. This leads to more rapid and visible cloud formation when compared to just cold or hot water alone, where natural condensation nuclei might be less plentiful.