Chapter 13 - Cloud Formation and Precipitation

Question 1

How much of the Earth on average has cloud coverage?

Answer 1

Approximately 50%

Question 2

How much precipitation is occurring on the Earth at any one time?

Answer 2

1-2%

Question 3

What is a cloud?

Answer 3

Billions of water droplets and/or ice crystals suspended in air above ground level.

Question 4

What is needed before condensation can occur in the atmosphere?

Answer 4

Condensation nuclei

Question 5

What are the mechanisms that can cause cooling that forms clouds?

Answer 5

Convective lifting Turbulence Frontal lifting Orographic lifting

Question 6

How big do raindrops tend to get before breaking up again?

Answer 6

5.5mm

Question 7

How big is a droplet?

Answer 7

About 0.02mm

Question 8

How big are droplets classified as drizzle?

Answer 8

Less than 0.5mm

Question 9

What is the range of sizes of a rain drop?

Answer 9

0.5 to 5.5mm

Question 10

How are rain drops formed?

Answer 10

By collision and coalescence.

Question 11

What is the Wegener-Bergeron-Findeisen Process?

Answer 11

Where ice and water droplets form large droplets quickly in a cloud.