Clouds Lesson

Clouds Lesson

Clouds

I can explain how clouds form.

I can identify the three main types of clouds.

Multiple Choice

The dew point is

• the point at which water vapor evaporates.

• the point at which water vapor condenses.

• the point at which hail starts.

• the point that water vapor becomes saturated.

How do Clouds form?

• Clouds form when water vapor in the air condenses

• Molecules of water vapor in the air become liquid water in a process called condensation.

Role of Cooling

• As air cools, the amount of water vapor it can hold decreases.

• The water vapor condenses into tiny droplets of water or ice crystals.

• If the dew point is above freezing, the water vapor forms droplets.

• If the dew point is below freezing, the water vapor may change directly into ice crystals.

The Role of Particles

• for water vapor to condense and form clouds, tiny particles must be present in the atmosphere to condense.

• These particles include salt crystals, dust from smoke, or smoke

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What are the 3 main types of clouds?

Cirrus, Cumulus, and stratus-classifed by their shape

Cirrus Clouds

Wispy, feathery clouds

High Altitudes

Indicate fair weather

Multiple Choice

This type of cloud is thin, wispy, and made of ice crystals

• cumulus cloud
• stratus cloud
• cirrus cloud
• cumulonimbus cloud

Cumulus Clouds

Look like cotton

short cumulus clouds-fair weather

towering clouds with flat tops- often produce thunderstorms

Multiple Choice

This type of cloud is thick and puffy on top, and generally flat on the bottom. It has well-defined edges and can change shape rapidly.

• cumulus cloud
• stratus cloud
• cirrus cloud
• cloud 9

Stratus Clouds

clouds that form in flat layers

*usually cover all or most of the sky

*dull, gray color

*If they thicken they may produce drizzle, rain or snow

Multiple Choice

This type of cloud is thin and flat, and the edges are not clearly defined

• cirrus cloud
• cumulus cloud
• stratus cloud
• cumulonimbus cloud

Cumulonimbus

Dense towering, vertical clouds with flat tops

Often produce thunderstorms

Multiple Choice

The cumulonimbus cloud is dark and fluffy. It usually brings rain and lightening that lasts for about an hour. Choose the correct picture below.

Multiple Choice

What type of cloud is this? Choose the correct picture below.

• cumulus

• cumulonimbus

• stratonimbus

• stratus

Multiple Choice

What type of cloud is this?

• stratonimbus

• stratus

• cumulus

• cumulonimbus

Multiple Choice

What type of cloud is this?

• cumulus

• stratus

• cumulonimbus

• stratonimbus

Multiple Choice

What type of cloud is this?

• cumulonimbus

• cumulus

• stratus

• stratonimbus

Multiple Choice

The cumulus cloud is fluffy with nice weather and no storm. Pick the correct picture below.

Fog

Clouds that form near the ground.

*Can form when the ground cools at night after a humid day.

Multiple Choice

Clouds are classified by altitude and precipitation types.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

What are clouds made out of?

• Molecules of pure oxygen

• ozone and carbon dioxide

• water droplets, dust, and smoke particles

• 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, and 1% other gases

Multiple Choice

Which type of cloud is highest in the sky?

• Cirrus

• Cumulus

• Stratus

Multiple Choice

Are stratus clouds or cirrus clouds found closer to the ground?

• Cirrus
• Stratus

Multiple Choice

Clouds form during the process of...

• evaporation

• condensation

• precipitation

• runoff

Multiple Choice

Cumulus and cirrus clouds can signal what type of upcoming weather?

• fair skies
• hot, sunny weather
• windy weather
• rainy weather