Clouds Science 1206

You will learn identify and define the three main categories of clouds: convective, frontal, and orographic identify and define the three main categories of clouds: convective, frontal, and orographic classify clouds into their separate types classify clouds into their separate types describe the conditions necessary to form fog describe the conditions necessary to form fog

Cloud Formation: A consequence of the evaporation of water followed by condensation of water droplets during the water cycle is the formation of clouds. There are three ways in which clouds are formed - A consequence of the evaporation of water followed by condensation of water droplets during the water cycle is the formation of clouds. There are three ways in which clouds are formed - convective, convective, frontal, frontal, and orographic. and orographic.

Convective clouds Are the result of evaporation of water which rises into the atmosphere as air near the Earth's surface is heated. Are the result of evaporation of water which rises into the atmosphere as air near the Earth's surface is heated. As the air rises, it expands and cools. As the air rises, it expands and cools. These condensed particles of water form convective clouds. These condensed particles of water form convective clouds.

Frontal clouds Form when a warm air mass meets a cooler air mass. Form when a warm air mass meets a cooler air mass. Since warm air masses are generally less dense than cooler air masses, the warm air mass tends to move above the cooler air mass. Since warm air masses are generally less dense than cooler air masses, the warm air mass tends to move above the cooler air mass. As the warm air mass rises above the cooler air mass, frontal clouds form due to the expansion and resulting cooling of the air. As the warm air mass rises above the cooler air mass, frontal clouds form due to the expansion and resulting cooling of the air.

Orographic clouds They form as warm air masses move up the sides of a mountain. They form as warm air masses move up the sides of a mountain.

Fog Is actually a cloud Is actually a cloud formed at or near formed at or near ground level. ground level. Fog may be formed as warm air moves over cold land masses, over snow fields, or cold bodies of water. Fog may be formed as warm air moves over cold land masses, over snow fields, or cold bodies of water. Fog may also form as a result of orographic lifting. Fog may also form as a result of orographic lifting.

Cloud Classification: There are three terms most often used to describe the form of the cloud - stratus and cumulus. There are three terms most often used to describe the form of the cloud - stratus and cumulus. The third term nimbus or the prefix nimbo- is used to name the darker, rain- holding type of cloud. The third term nimbus or the prefix nimbo- is used to name the darker, rain- holding type of cloud.

Stratus clouds Stratus clouds are generally flat and long. Stratus clouds are generally flat and long. Stratus clouds indicate stable weather conditions and also result in overcast conditions. Stratus clouds indicate stable weather conditions and also result in overcast conditions.

Cumulus clouds Cumulus clouds are somewhat flat on bottom but have a bilious upper surface. Cumulus clouds are somewhat flat on bottom but have a bilious upper surface.

Names and Altitude of Clouds The prefix, alto- is used for clouds located in the mid altitudes ( m). The prefix, cirro- is used for clouds at higher altitudes ( m). The term cirrus is given to the highest clouds ( m). The prefix, alto- is used for clouds located in the mid altitudes ( m). The prefix, cirro- is used for clouds at higher altitudes ( m). The term cirrus is given to the highest clouds ( m).

To Do Read "Clouds and Fog" on pages Answer questions 1-6 from "Understanding Concepts" on page 534. Read "Clouds and Fog" on pages Answer questions 1-6 from "Understanding Concepts" on page 534.

1. When are convective clouds formed? a. in a high pressure system with cool, dry, falling air b. moist air near the ground absorbs energy from a heated surface such as a lake, asphalt, or dirt c. when a mass of moist air rises up the side of a mountain d. the leading edge of a large moving mass of air meets another mass at a different temperature Answer B

When are frontal clouds formed? a. in a high pressure system with cool, dry, falling air a. in a high pressure system with cool, dry, falling air b. moist air near the ground absorbs energy from a heated surface such as a lake, asphalt, or dirt b. moist air near the ground absorbs energy from a heated surface such as a lake, asphalt, or dirt c. when a mass of moist air rises up the side of a mountain c. when a mass of moist air rises up the side of a mountain d. the leading edge of a large moving mass of air meets another mass at a different temperature d. the leading edge of a large moving mass of air meets another mass at a different temperature Answer D

3. When are orographic clouds formed? a. in a high pressure system with cool, dry, falling air a. in a high pressure system with cool, dry, falling air b. moist air near the ground absorbs energy from a heated surface such as a lake, asphalt, or dirt b. moist air near the ground absorbs energy from a heated surface such as a lake, asphalt, or dirt c. when a mass of moist air rises up the side of a mountain c. when a mass of moist air rises up the side of a mountain d. the leading edge of a large moving mass of air meets another mass at a different temperature d. the leading edge of a large moving mass of air meets another mass at a different temperature Answer C

4. Which type of clouds reach the highest altitude? a. cirrus a. cirrus b. cumulus b. cumulus c. stratus c. stratus d. nimbocumulus d. nimbocumulus ANSWER A

5. Which type of clouds are billowing, fluffy, and rounded in shape? a. cirrus a. cirrus b. cumulus b. cumulus c. stratus c. stratus d. nimbocumulus d. nimbocumulus ANSWER B

6. Which cloud type is associated with stable weather conditions? a. cirrus a. cirrus b. cumulus b. cumulus c. stratus c. stratus d. nimbocumulus d. nimbocumulus ANSWER C

7. Which type of cloud is formed very close to land? a. cirrus a. cirrus b. cumulus b. cumulus c. stratus c. stratus d. fog d. fog ANSWER D

Oceans Nearly 70% of the Earth is covered by oceans, and because the equatorial region of the Earth is mostly ocean (most land is located in the Northern Hemisphere) Nearly 70% of the Earth is covered by oceans, and because the equatorial region of the Earth is mostly ocean (most land is located in the Northern Hemisphere)

Oceans The major oceans of the Earth include the Arctic Ocean around the North Pole, the Antarctic Ocean around the South Pole, the Pacific Ocean (which is the largest of all the oceans), the Atlantic Ocean, and the Indian Ocean. The major oceans of the Earth include the Arctic Ocean around the North Pole, the Antarctic Ocean around the South Pole, the Pacific Ocean (which is the largest of all the oceans), the Atlantic Ocean, and the Indian Ocean.