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Questions and Answers
What is the role of condensation nuclei in cloud formation?
What is the role of condensation nuclei in cloud formation?
At what relative humidity do particles start to condense and form clouds?
At what relative humidity do particles start to condense and form clouds?
What is the primary difference between stable air clouds and unstable air clouds?
What is the primary difference between stable air clouds and unstable air clouds?
What do clouds indicate to meteorologists?
What do clouds indicate to meteorologists?
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What is the main component of a cloud?
What is the main component of a cloud?
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Why do some clouds touch the ground while others are only found in the high atmosphere?
Why do some clouds touch the ground while others are only found in the high atmosphere?
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At what height do cirrus clouds generally form?
At what height do cirrus clouds generally form?
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What type of weather is usually associated with stratus clouds?
What type of weather is usually associated with stratus clouds?
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Which type of cloud is described as thick, puffy masses resembling 'cotton balls'?
Which type of cloud is described as thick, puffy masses resembling 'cotton balls'?
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What is the main composition of cirrus clouds?
What is the main composition of cirrus clouds?
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Which type of cloud is typically the first sign of an approaching storm?
Which type of cloud is typically the first sign of an approaching storm?
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What does the direction of cirrus clouds point towards?
What does the direction of cirrus clouds point towards?
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What is the primary factor that leads to the formation of radiation fog?
What is the primary factor that leads to the formation of radiation fog?
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Which type of fog is most likely to form when warm moist air moves over a colder surface?
Which type of fog is most likely to form when warm moist air moves over a colder surface?
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What is a characteristic of advection fog?
What is a characteristic of advection fog?
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In which type of fog do droplets grow larger as condensation begins on less active nuclei?
In which type of fog do droplets grow larger as condensation begins on less active nuclei?
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What plays an important role in the formation of upslope fog?
What plays an important role in the formation of upslope fog?
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When does evaporation fog occur?
When does evaporation fog occur?
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Which cloud type is composed of ice crystals and has a cold temperature of less than 25℃?
Which cloud type is composed of ice crystals and has a cold temperature of less than 25℃?
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What type of clouds usually form from the gradual lifting of air in advance of a cold front?
What type of clouds usually form from the gradual lifting of air in advance of a cold front?
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Which cloud type is known to be the thinnest if formed at higher altitudes and heavier and more dense if closer to the ground?
Which cloud type is known to be the thinnest if formed at higher altitudes and heavier and more dense if closer to the ground?
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What characteristic distinguishes cumulonimbus clouds from other cloud types?
What characteristic distinguishes cumulonimbus clouds from other cloud types?
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Which type of cloud is most likely to give the sky a milky white appearance?
Which type of cloud is most likely to give the sky a milky white appearance?
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What is the common characteristic of all nimbus clouds?
What is the common characteristic of all nimbus clouds?
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What is the process of water droplets forming onto aerosols called?
What is the process of water droplets forming onto aerosols called?
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Which type of aerosols are emitted as a result of human activities?
Which type of aerosols are emitted as a result of human activities?
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At what range of temperatures does ice nucleation depend on for moderate ice nucleation?
At what range of temperatures does ice nucleation depend on for moderate ice nucleation?
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What is the main factor that determines ice nucleation on ice look-a-like aerosols?
What is the main factor that determines ice nucleation on ice look-a-like aerosols?
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In which temperature range do fog and clouds form due to the existence of supercooled water?
In which temperature range do fog and clouds form due to the existence of supercooled water?
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Which of the following is NOT a type of natural aerosol?
Which of the following is NOT a type of natural aerosol?
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Study Notes
Cloud Formation
- Condensation nuclei play a crucial role in cloud formation by providing a surface for water vapor to condense onto.
- Particles start to condense and form clouds at a relative humidity of 100%.
Cloud Types
- Stable air clouds are characterized by a flat, layered base, while unstable air clouds are tall and puffy.
- Cumulus clouds are described as thick, puffy masses resembling 'cotton balls'.
- Stratus clouds are typically associated with overcast, gloomy weather.
- Cirrus clouds are composed of ice crystals and have a cold temperature of less than 25°C.
- Cirrus clouds usually form at high altitudes, around 20,000 ft.
- Cumulonimbus clouds are distinguished from other cloud types by their anvil-shaped base and towering vertical growth.
Fog
- Radiation fog forms when the ground rapidly cools overnight, causing the air above it to cool and become saturated.
- Advection fog forms when warm, moist air moves over a colder surface.
- Upslope fog forms when moist air is pushed up a slope, cooling as it rises, causing the water vapor to condense.
- Evaporation fog occurs when a body of water is cooled rapidly, causing the water to evaporate quickly and create fog.
- Fog and clouds form due to the existence of supercooled water in the temperature range of -10°C to 0°C.
Aerosols
- The process of water droplets forming onto aerosols is called condensation.
- Human activities emit aerosols such as sulfates and nitrates.
- Ice nucleation depends on temperatures between -10°C to -30°C for moderate ice nucleation.
- The main factor that determines ice nucleation on ice look-a-like aerosols is the temperature.
Cloud Characteristics
- Clouds indicate to meteorologists the presence of instability in the atmosphere, leading to potential weather changes.
- The main component of a cloud is water droplets or ice crystals.
- Clouds can touch the ground, known as fog, or form in the high atmosphere, depending on the height and type of cloud.
- Cumulus clouds are the first sign of an approaching storm.
- The direction of cirrus clouds often points towards an approaching storm.
- Nimbus clouds are characterized by a dark, rain-bearing base.
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Description
Learn about the process of cloud formation when the air's relative humidity reaches around 75% and how condensation nuclei play a crucial role in the development of clouds. Explore how clouds are formed as particles grow larger with increasing relative humidity.
