Chapter 6: Humidity, Condensation, and Precipitation

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What is the primary objective of Chapter 6?

To discuss the impact of humidity on climate change

To outline the processes in the hydrologic cycle (correct)

To explain the concept of adiabatic lapse rates

To describe the importance of freshwater as a limited resource

What percentage of moisture saturation is used to calculate relative humidity?

50%

100% (correct)

75%

It depends on air temperature

What happens to air that rises, expands, and cools according to adiabatic lapse rates?

It warms and compresses

It cools and expands (correct)

It remains at a constant temperature

It becomes saturated with moisture

Why is freshwater a limited and precious resource?

Because of its scarcity on Earth's surface (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between relative humidity and air temperature?

Relative humidity increases as air temperature decreases (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary source of energy used in evaporation and condensation?

Solar energy (A) Signup and view all the answers

What happens when air reaches its dew point temperature?

Water vapor condenses into droplets (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the actual amount of water vapor in the air?

Absolute humidity (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of a billion tons of water condensing out of the atmosphere?

A release of immense energy (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary driver of the Earth's water cycle?

Solar energy (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the temperature at which air can no longer hold any more water vapor?

Dew point temperature (C) Signup and view all the answers

What happens to sweat when the relative humidity is high?

It does not evaporate (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the process by which plants give up water?

Transpiration (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the combined effects of evaporation and transpiration?

Evapotranspiration (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of no wind on evaporation rates?

The air that overlies a water surface will approach saturation (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between the amount of water and evaporation rates?

Evaporation rates are higher over oceans (C) Signup and view all the answers

What happens when the environmental lapse rate is less than the moist adiabatic rate?

The atmosphere is absolutely stable (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of a rising air parcel in an absolutely unstable atmosphere?

It is warmer and less dense than its surroundings (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of a rising air parcel in a conditionally unstable atmosphere?

It will continue to rise if bumped upward (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is necessary for an absolutely stable atmosphere?

The surface air must be cooled or the air aloft must be warmed (A) Signup and view all the answers

What determines the buoyant force acting on an air parcel?

The difference in temperature between the air parcel and its surroundings (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of a rising air parcel in an absolutely stable atmosphere?

It will sink back down if bumped upward (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the condition required for dew to form on objects near the ground’s surface?

The object cools below the dew point. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What type of clouds are associated with rain-producing systems?

Altostratus and Nimbostratus (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between dew and frost?

Dew forms when the temperature is above freezing, while frost forms when the temperature is below freezing. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following cloud types is characterized by vertical development?

Cumulus and Cumulonimbus (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main characteristic of high clouds?

They are composed of ice crystals and appear as thin, wispy lines. (B) Signup and view all the answers