Earth Science

Cloud formation and precipitation

Clouds are formed as the water vapors have overreached the saturation value and the water vapor condenses (Answers , 2008 . Once the eater condenses , the water forms into minute particles (University of Wisconsin-Madison . Water , by the processes of evaporation and transpiration , is lifted into the atmosphere (Missouri Botanical Garden 2008 . As the water vapors join the particles in the atmosphere , these in turn form clouds (Missouri , 2008

The water vapors rise into the atmosphere and then condenses to create clouds (Prince Edawrd Island . The particles that the ater

vapors attach themselves to may be in solid or liquid form (Wisconsin . The liquid particles in the air are termes as cloud droplets , while the solid particles are called ice crystals (Wisconsin . As the materials for the formation of clouds mainly consist of water , it should be noted that in the desert , there are hardly any clouds since water is almost non-existent in that area (Missouri , 2008

A simpler explanation on the formation of clouds would define it as the rising and dropping of the air 's temperature caused by the following factors (Water Encyclopedia , 2007

The probability of cloud formation and the resulting precipation is dependent on the amount of water that is in the air (Wisconsin . The process of lifting , also termed as adiabatic cooling , is the most frequent manner for cloud formation (Wisconsin . An adiabatic temperature change is when a cluster of air undergoes a rising or falling in its temperature (The Weather Prediction

There are various methods that cause the rise of air into the atmosphere (Water Encyclopedia , 2007 . The process of convection begins when sunlight heats up the ground , and the air warmed by the sunlight rises , losing heat as it goes higher into the atmosphere (Water Encyclopedia , 2007 . If the mass of air is met by a high topographical feature , such as a mountain , the air alos loses heat or orographical lifting (Water Encyclopedia , 2007 . When the air cluster is hit by a low-pressure area , the air is forced upward , or by convergence (Water Encyclopedia , 2007

References

Missouri Botanical Garden (2008 . Cloud formation . Retrieved September 12 , 2008 , from

HYPERLINK "http /www .mbgnet .net /fresh /cycle /clouds .htm http /www .mbgnet .net /fresh /cycle /clouds .htm

Prince Edawrd Island (n .d . The water cycle . Retrieved September 12 2008 , from

http /www .edu .pe .ca /gulfshore /watercyc /jenn .htm

University of Wisconsin-Madison (n .d . Cloud formation . Retrieved September 12 , 2008 , from

HYPERLINK "http /cimss .ssec .wisc .edu /satmet /modules /clouds /cloudformation .html http /cimss .ssec .wisc .edu /satmet /modules /clouds /cloudformation .html

Water Encyclopedia (2007 . Precipitation and clouds , formation of Retrieved September 12 , 20008 , from

HYPERLINK "http /www .waterencyclopedia .com /Po-Re /Precipitation-and-Clouds-Formati on- http /www .waterencyclopedia .com /Po-Re /Precipitation-and-Clouds-Formatio n- of .html

Yahoo !Answers (2008 . How is air temperature , pressure , and density are related to cloud formation ? Retrieved September 12 , 2008 , from

http /answers .yahoo .com /question /index ?qid 757AAEFnFC

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