Science - Clouds

Page 1: Cloud Notes

Page 2: How Clouds Form

• Formation Process: Clouds form when water vapor in the air condenses to create liquid water or ice crystals.

• Condensation: Molecules of water vapor transition to liquid water during this process.

• Requirements for Condensation: Two key conditions are essential for condensation to take place:

  • Cooling of Air: Warm, moist air rises from the Earth's surface and cools as it ascends.

  • Presence of Particles: Tiny particles in the air facilitate the condensation of water vapor.

• Steps of Cloud Formation:

  1. Warm, moist air rises and cools.

  2. Upon reaching a certain height, the air cools to the dew point.

  3. Water vapor condenses onto airborne particles, forming a cloud.

Page 3: Types of Clouds - Based on Shape

• Cirrus Clouds:

  • Meaning: "Curls of hair."

  • Characteristics: Wispy, feathery and high-altitude clouds composed of ice crystals.

• Cumulus Clouds:

  • Meaning: "Heap" or "mass."

  • Characteristics: Fluffy, rounded clouds resembling cotton, typically growing in size.

• Stratus Clouds:

  • Meaning: "Spread out."

  • Characteristics: Form in flat layers, usually covering the sky in a uniform dull gray.

Page 4: Types of Clouds - Based on Altitude

• Cloud Classifications: Clouds can be categorized further based on altitude:

  • Alto- Clouds (meaning: "high"; mid-level clouds)

  • Nimbus- Clouds (meaning: "rain"; associated with precipitation)

• Layered Structure: Clouds can be arranged in layers.

• Exceptions to Nature of Clouds:

  • Puffy: Cumulonimbus

  • High: Cirrostratus, Cirrus, Cirrocumulus

  • Middle: Altostratus, Nimbostratus, Altocumulus

  • Low: Stratus, Stratocumulus, Cumulus

Page 5: Types of Clouds - Summary by Altitude

• High Clouds:

  • Cirrostratus

  • Cirrus

  • Cirrocumulus

• Middle Clouds:

  • Nimbostratus

• Low Clouds:

  • Altostratus

  • Altocumulus

  • Stratocumulus

  • Cumulus

  • Cumulonimbus

  • Stratus

Page 6: Characteristics of Cloud Types

• Cloud Visuals: High clouds may appear in separate patches or waves.

• Visibility: Sunlight can be visible through certain cloud layers, but they may appear blurred or fuzzy.

Page 7: Summary of Cloud Types

• High Clouds:

  • Cirrostratus

  • Cirrus

  • Cirrocumulus

• Middle Clouds:

  • Nimbostratus

• Low Clouds:

  • Altostratus

  • Altocumulus

  • Stratocumulus

  • Cumulus

  • Cumulonimbus

  • Stratus