Clouds form when the invisible water vapor in the air condenses into visible water droplets or ice crystals. For this to happen, the
parcel of air must be saturated
, i.e. unable to hold all the water it contains in vapor form, so it starts to condense into a liquid or solid form.
What causes water to condense into clouds?
Clouds exist in the atmosphere because of rising air.
As air rises and cools the water in it
can “condense out”, forming clouds. … When the temperature drops below the dew-point temperature, there is a net condensation and a cloud forms,” (accessed on Sep. 12, 2003).
What two conditions are most needed for clouds to form?
Moisture
– There must be sufficient water vapor in the air for a cloud to form. Cooling air – The air temperature must decrease enough for water vapor to condense.
What is it called when water condenses to form clouds?
The air is no longer able to hold all that water vapor. The excess amount changes from a gas into a liquid or solid (ice). The process of water changing from a gas to a liquid is called “condensation,” and when gas changes directly into a solid, it is called “
deposition
.” These two processes are how clouds form.
Which condition is necessary for water?
Liquid water allows for chemicals to be transported or dissolved, so we do need the water to be
between 59 and 239 degrees Fahrenheit (15 and 115 degrees Celsius)
so it doesn't vaporize or freeze [source: NASA].
Is fog a cloud?
Fog is
a cloud that touches the ground
. … Fog shows up when water vapor, or water in its gaseous form, condenses. During condensation, molecules of water vapor combine to make tiny liquid water droplets that hang in the air. You can see fog because of these tiny water droplets.
What are 3 major types of clouds?
While clouds appear in infinite shapes and sizes they fall into some basic forms. From his Essay of the Modifications of Clouds (1803) Luke Howard divided clouds into three categories;
cirrus, cumulus and stratus
. The Latin word ‘cirro' means curl of hair.
What 3 conditions are needed for condensation to form?
The process requires the presence of
water vapor in the atmosphere, falling temperature and the presence of another object for
water vapor to condense around.
Why do clouds form in a jar?
The water vapor in the cooling air then condensed onto the particles of hairspray
, forming a cloud in the jar! If you observe the cloud carefully, you'll notice that it swirls around the jar. This swirling is caused by a convection current of warm air rising and cold air sinking.
How are clouds named?
According to his system, clouds are
given Latin names corresponding to their appearance — layered or convective— and their altitude
. … These clouds look lumpy and piled up, like a cauliflower. Convective cloud types are indicated by the root word cumulo, which means “heap” in Latin.
Which of the following is an example of condensation?
Clouds
are a large-scale example of condensation, and generally form when water vapor in warm air rises to meet cold air higher in the atmosphere. As the warm air cools and the molecules coalesce and stick together, drops of water or ice crystals form and surround dust particles in the air.
Is a cloud liquid or gas?
While it's true that clouds contain water, they actually aren't made of water vapor. If they were, you wouldn't be able to see them. The water
that makes up clouds is in liquid or ice form
. The air around us is partially made up of invisible water vapor.
Can you touch a cloud?
Unfortunately, it does not feel like cotton balls or cotton candy, but
most people have technically touched a cloud before
. If you wanted to touch an airborne cloud, the best way to do this is either skydiving or in a hot air balloon, though I would not want to be stuck in a cloud while in a hot air balloon.
Is water important for life?
Water's extensive capability to dissolve a variety of molecules has earned it the designation of “
universal solvent
,” and it is this ability that makes water such an invaluable life-sustaining force. On a biological level, water's role as a solvent helps cells transport and use substances like oxygen or nutrients.
What are the 5 importance of water?
Water carries nutrients to all cells in our body and oxygen to our brain. Water allows the body to absorb and assimilate minerals, vitamins, amino acids, glucose, and other substances. Water flushes out toxins and waste.
Water helps to regulate body temperature
.
What are the 6 main indicators of water quality?
Scientists measure a variety of properties to determine water quality. These include
temperature, acidity (pH), dissolved solids (specific conductance), particulate matter (turbidity), dissolved oxygen, hardness and suspended sediment
.
