Download Freezing Condensation

STUDY GUIDE: WATER IN THE ATMOSPHERE - ANSWER KEY
Complete #1-9 using the Dew Point & Relative Humidity Tables and the Cloud Base Graph: (Found on the page
protected handout or available online.)
Dry-Bulb Wet-Bulb
Temp.
Temp.
Dry-Bulb Wet-Bulb
Temp.
Temp.
Dew
Point
Relative
Humidity
Air
Temp.
Dew
Point
Cloud Base
Altitude
1.
22⁰C
20⁰C
19°C
4.
22⁰C
20⁰C
83%
7.
22⁰C
20⁰C
.25 km
2.
-2⁰C
-6⁰C
-20°C
5.
4⁰C
-1⁰C
27%
8.
6⁰C
2⁰C
.5 m
3.
12⁰C
12⁰C
12°C
6.
12⁰C
12⁰C
100%
9.
12⁰C
12⁰C
0 km
10. The actual amount of water vapor in the air is called Specific Humidity. The amount of water vapor in
the air compared to the maximum amount of water vapor the air can hold is called Relative Humidity.
11. Are clouds made up of water vapor or liquid water? Liquid Water
12. What role does condensation nuclei have in cloud formation? Water vapor cannot condense into liquid water
without something solid to attach onto so specks of dust or salt particles in the air allow water to condense around
it to form cloud drops.
13. Give an example of something that could act as condensation nuclei: tiny specks of dust or salt in the air
14. Sometimes, when you wake up in the morning, there are drops of water on the grass, but it did not rain. What
happened overnight to cause this? The temperature dropped below the Dew Point and the water vapor in the air
condensed into liquid water.
15. What does it mean when the air is saturated? It has reached 100% capacity & can’t hold any more water vapor.
16. Explain the difference between weather and climate: Weather is the state of the atmosphere at a given place
and time, and changes daily. Climate is an area’s long-term weather patterns (usually in averages).
17. List all the factors that determine an area’s climate: Latitude, Vegetation, Elevation, Prevailing Winds, Nearby
Water, Ocean Currents, Topography
18. What three factors influence weather? Air Pressure, Temperature, Precipitation
19. The temperature at which the air is saturated with water vapor is referred to as Dew Point.
20. Which of the volumes of air below would be able to hold the most water vapor? [ A , B , C , D ]
Explain: Container ‘D’ has the highest temperature, and warmer air can hold more moisture than cold air.
3⁰F
15⁰F
31⁰F
62⁰F
21. What is the name of the instrument that is used to measure humidity? Psychrometer
22. Does precipitation occur on the windward or leeward side of a mountain? Windward
23. Does the rain shadow occur on the windward or leeward side of a mountain? Leeward
Why? Winds carry air toward the mountains and as the air rises up, the air cools, water vapor condenses, clouds
form and it rains on the windward side. Once the air passes over the mountain range, it has dried out and it moves
down the other side creating a higher pressure area with no rain.
24. As the temperature of the air cools & gets closer to its Dew Point, what happens to the Relative Humidity?
It increases. Cooler air cannot hold as much moisture as warm air, so as the temperature decreases, the
percentage of water vapor in the air increases (even though the amount of water vapor stays the same).
25. What latitudes would you expect to find the most precipitation? Equator, 60o N & S
Why? Low pressure generally occurs at those latitudes
26. What instrument is used to measure liquid precipitation? Rain Gauge
27. What instrument is used to measure frozen precipitation? Measuring Stick
28. Write the name of the process that describes the change in the state of water below:
Melting
Ice
Evaporation
Water Water
Water
Vapor Vapor
Vapor
Water
Freezing
Condensation
Label each diagram below with the correct type of Precipitation shown: (Sleet, Rain, Freezing Rain, or Snow)
29. Rain
30. Snow
31. Sleet
32. Freezing Rain
33. How does hail form? Hail forms in a cumulonimbus cloud when strong updrafts carry rain drops high up into
the cloud where temperatures are below freezing. Hailstones can grow as additional water freezes onto it.
Eventually, the hailstone becomes too heavy and it falls to the ground.
34. Clouds are classified by their shape and altitude
35. Clouds that form in layers are called stratus
36. High, feathery ice clouds are called cirrus
37. Fluffy clouds with flat bases are called cumulus
38. Dark rainclouds are called nimbostratus / cumulonimbus
39. Clouds that produce lightning and hail are called cumulonimbus
40. Clouds form in the layer of the atmosphere called the troposphere
41. Label the Water Cycle diagram: Precipitation, Evaporation, Runoff, Transpiration, Condensation
Condensation
Condensation
Precipitation
Transpiration
Runoff
Evaporation