The Restless Atmosphere - Weather

Question 1

Explain condensation

Answer 1

Water vapour rises and cools. It condenses to form clouds into water droplets

Question 2

Explain precipitation

Answer 2

Water released from clouds and comes back to Earth in the form of rain/snow/sleet

Question 3

Explain run off

Answer 3

Water moves downhill across land return to the sea

Question 4

Explain underground water

Answer 4

Water seeps into ground and is stored in rocks and soil

Question 5

Explain how clouds are made

Answer 5

Clouds are made when water vapour condenses into tiny droplets

Question 6

Give characteristics of cirrus clouds

Answer 6

They occur at a high altitude
Made of ice crystals
Bring fair weather

Question 7

Give characteristics of cumulus clouds

Answer 7

Fluffy
Occurs at medium altitude
Bring fair weather
Bring rain if dark in colour

Question 8

Give characteristics of stratus clouds

Answer 8

Occur at low altitude
Form thin layers that can block out sky
At ground level they are fog
Bring continual light rain

Question 9

Explain how rain occurs and name three types

Answer 9

Rain occurs when warm air is forced to rise and it cools while rising. Condensation occurs and clouds form and rain occurs.

1. Relief rainfall
2. Frontal (cyclonic) rainfall
3. Conventional rainfall

Question 10

Explain frontal rainfall

Answer 10

Warm and cold air masses meet at a front
Warm air rises over cold air mass
Warm air cools and condenses
Stratus clouds form and rain occurs

Question 11

Explain convectional rainfall

Answer 11

Sun heats up the air
Heated air rises quickly
It cools and condenses
Cumulus clouds form and heavy rain ensues.

Question 12

Explain evaporation

Answer 12

Energy from the sun change water from liquid to gas ( water vapour) in the atmosphere