Sanchez METEOR 2100/AREM 2235: Cloud Formation Process

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Questions and Answers

What is the role of condensation nuclei in cloud formation?

  • Creating strong winds within the cloud
  • Causing the water droplets to evaporate
  • Serving as a surface for water vapor to condense on (correct)
  • Preventing the formation of clouds

At what relative humidity do particles start to condense and form clouds?

  • 150%
  • 75% (correct)
  • 100%
  • 50%

What is the primary difference between stable air clouds and unstable air clouds?

  • Stability (correct)
  • Size
  • Color
  • Movement

What do clouds indicate to meteorologists?

<p>Changes in the weather (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main component of a cloud?

<p>Water droplets or ice crystals (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why do some clouds touch the ground while others are only found in the high atmosphere?

<p>Dependent on their altitude (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

At what height do cirrus clouds generally form?

<p>30,000 feet (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of weather is usually associated with stratus clouds?

<p>Fair weather (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which type of cloud is described as thick, puffy masses resembling 'cotton balls'?

<p>Stratocumulus (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main composition of cirrus clouds?

<p>Ice crystals (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which type of cloud is typically the first sign of an approaching storm?

<p>Cirrus (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the direction of cirrus clouds point towards?

<p>Air movement at their elevation (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary factor that leads to the formation of radiation fog?

<p>Earth's radiational cooling (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which type of fog is most likely to form when warm moist air moves over a colder surface?

<p>Advection fog (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of advection fog?

<p>Forms when warm moist air moves over a colder surface (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In which type of fog do droplets grow larger as condensation begins on less active nuclei?

<p>Radiation fog (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What plays an important role in the formation of upslope fog?

<p>Moist air flows up along an elevated plain (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

When does evaporation fog occur?

<p>When sun evaporates rain from an asphalt road (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which cloud type is composed of ice crystals and has a cold temperature of less than 25℃?

<p>Cirrostratus (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of clouds usually form from the gradual lifting of air in advance of a cold front?

<p>Altostratus (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which cloud type is known to be the thinnest if formed at higher altitudes and heavier and more dense if closer to the ground?

<p>Altostratus (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What characteristic distinguishes cumulonimbus clouds from other cloud types?

<p>They can cause thunderstorms (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which type of cloud is most likely to give the sky a milky white appearance?

<p>Cirrocumulus (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the common characteristic of all nimbus clouds?

<p>They are any clouds that rain (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the process of water droplets forming onto aerosols called?

<p>Condensation (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which type of aerosols are emitted as a result of human activities?

<p>Fossil fuel burning emissions (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

At what range of temperatures does ice nucleation depend on for moderate ice nucleation?

<p>$0℃ &gt; T &gt; -4℃$ (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main factor that determines ice nucleation on ice look-a-like aerosols?

<p>Temperature (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In which temperature range do fog and clouds form due to the existence of supercooled water?

<p>$0℃ &gt; T &gt; -10℃$ (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a type of natural aerosol?

<p>Fossil fuel burning emissions (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

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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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