Questions and Answers
What are cirrus clouds?
light and feathery
What are cumulus clouds?
big and puffy
What are stratus clouds?
sheetlike clouds that form layers across the sky
How do clouds form?
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What process forms clouds?
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Where do tiny water droplets and ice form?
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What determines a cloud's shape?
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There are ________ basic kinds of clouds.
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What are the light feathery cirrus clouds made up of?
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How do cumulus clouds form?
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How do stratus clouds form?
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What are the three basic kinds of clouds?
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What is a cloud that forms near the ground called?
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What happens at night to the ground?
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What occurs if the air is cooled to the dew point?
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Why does fog sometimes form over rivers and lakes?
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What is fog?
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What are cumulonimbus clouds?
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________ can raise a cumulonimbus cloud to heights taller than Mt. Everest.
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As clouds rise, what happens to the tops?
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What does a large flat top of a cloud resemble?
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An anvil is a good indication that a thunderstorm is coming.
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How is a cumulonimbus cloud like a cumulus cloud?
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What are clouds made of?
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What are light feathery clouds called?
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What are sheetlike layered clouds called?
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Where might you see fog?
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What kinds of clouds are large and puffy?
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What is another name for cumulonimbus clouds?
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Study Notes
Types of Clouds
- Cirrus Clouds: Light, feathery clouds composed of ice crystals; form at heights above 10,000 meters.
- Cumulus Clouds: Big, puffy clouds formed from rising currents of warm air, characterized by flat bases.
- Stratus Clouds: Sheetlike, layered clouds that typically form at low altitudes.
Cloud Formation
- Clouds form through the process of condensation in the atmosphere.
- Many tiny water droplets and ice crystals form around dust and other particles suspended in the air.
- A cloud's shape is influenced by its method of formation.
Types of Fog
- Fog is classified as a cloud that forms near the ground, typically in valleys, over rivers, and lakes.
- Cooling ground temperature at night reduces the air temperature above, leading to condensation and fog formation.
- Cool air moving over warm water can also contribute to fog development.
Cumulonimbus Clouds
- Cumulonimbus clouds are an advanced type of cumulus cloud often linked with thunderstorms.
- Updrafts can elevate these clouds to heights exceeding that of Mt. Everest.
- As clouds rise, the tops flatten against the tropopause, resembling an anvil, which indicates potential thunderstorms.
Key Comparisons
- Cumulonimbus clouds share characteristics with cumulus clouds, including formation at great heights and anvil-like tops.
- Thunderheads are another name for cumulonimbus clouds.
Key Locations of Fog
- Fog can be observed in various environments like valleys, rivers, and lakes.
Summary of Cloud Components
- Clouds consist of numerous tiny droplets of water and ice crystals.
Basic Facts
- The three basic types of clouds: cirrus, cumulus, and stratus.
- Cumulonimbus clouds can be large and puffy, alongside cumulus clouds.
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Description
This quiz focuses on cloud formation, detailing different types such as cirrus, cumulus, and stratus clouds. Additionally, it explores the process of condensation that leads to cloud creation. Perfect for those studying atmospheric science!