Download Water in the Atmosphere

Name: ______________________ Date: ____ Period: _____
Water in the Atmosphere NOTES!
The Water Cycle:
 _______________________________________________________
 Water ____________ from __________ and _________ of ________.
 Water ______________ in the ____________ and forms __________.
 ________ become __________________ and ____________ falls as
precipitation to the _______________.
 Water runs off surface into lakes, streams and oceans.
Humidity:
 The amount of ____________________________________________.
 _______________________________________________________
___________________________________ = Relative Humidity
 Measured with a _________________________
 Describe why you are miserable on a humid day!
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
Clouds:
 Forms when ______________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
o When you look at a cloud, you are seeing _____________________
___________________________________________________!
 Condensation – the process by which ____________________________
_______________________________________________________
 Dew Point – ______________________________________________.
 _______________ must attach to a particle to condense back to a liquid.
Clouds and Mountains:
 _______________________________________________________
 Clouds form and precipitation falls on the ________________________.
 ___________________________________ because the __________
_______________________.
Sketch the picture indicating the movement of the air
(make sure you know the difference between the windward and the leeward side)
Types of Clouds:
1. _________________:
o Look like rounded piles of _______________.
o Indicate ____________ weather.
o Cumulonimbus - __________________________ Clouds
2. __________________:
o Cover _____________ of the ________________
o ___________ produce __________________
3. __________________:
o High _______________________________ clouds
o Made of _________________________
Questions to answer on your own: Yes, these questions require you to THINK!!!
1. What instrument is used to measure relative humidity? How does it work?
2. What conditions are needed for clouds to form?
3. Why are deserts often found on the leeward side of mountain ranges?
4. What is the difference between the windward and the leeward side of a
mountain?
Name: ______KEY_____________ Date: ____ Period: _____
Water in the Atmosphere NOTES!
The Water Cycle:
 The transfer of water between the atmosphere and Earth’s surface.
 Water evaporates from plants and bodies of water.
 Water condenses in the atmosphere and forms clouds.
 Clouds become saturated and water falls as precipitation to the surface.
 Water runs off surface into lakes, streams and oceans.
Humidity:
 The amount of water vapor in the air.
 Amount of water vapor compared to the amount of water the air can hold
is Relative Humidity
 Measured with a psychrometer
 Describe why you are miserable on a humid day!
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
Clouds:
 Forms when water vapor in the air becomes liquid water or ice crystals.
o When you look at a cloud, you are seeing millions of tiny ice crystals
or water droplets!
 Condensation – the process by which molecules of water vapor in the air
become liquid water.
 Dew Point – The temperature at which condensation begins.
 Water vapor must attach to a particle to condense back to a liquid.
Clouds and Mountains:
 Air rises up the side of a mountain and cools.
 Clouds form and precipitation falls on the windward side.
 Leeward side stays dry because the air has lost its moisture.
Sketch the picture indicating the movement of the air
Types of Clouds:
1. Cumulus:
o Look like rounded piles of cotton.
o Indicate fair weather.
o Cumulonimbus - Thunderstorm Clouds
2. Stratus:
o Cover most of the sky
o May produce drizzle
3. Cirrus:
o High wispy feathery clouds
o Made of ice crystals
Questions to answer:
1. What instrument is used to measure relative humidity? How does it work?
The instrument is a psychrometer. It works by comparing the temperatures on a wet-bulb
and a dry-bulb thermometer.
2. What conditions are needed for clouds to form?
For clouds to form, air must be cooled to its dew point and particles must be present in
the air.
3. Why are deserts often found on the leeward side of mountain ranges?
When wind strikes the windward side of a mountain range, it is forced upward. As air
rises, it becomes cooler. Since cool air can hold less water vapor than warm air, the
moisture in the air often precipitates as snow or rain on the windward side of the
mountain, leaving little to fall on the leeward side.
4. What is the difference between the windward and the leeward side of a
mountain? The windward side of a mountain is the side of the mountain that faces the
oncoming wind. The leeward side of the mountain is the side of the mountain that is
downwind (more like a desert).