Moisture in the Atmosphere (Leaving Cert Geography): Flashcards
📚Flashcards
Practise the cards
12 cards from this deck
ShowHide
Practise the cards
12 cards from this deck
Condensation's role in cloud formation
Condensation's role in cloud formation
Water vapour transforms into visible droplets/ice crystals
First step of cloud formation
First step of cloud formation
Warm, moist air moves upward into atmosphere
Most common cause of cloud formation
Most common cause of cloud formation
Convection (sun heating Earth's surface, air rises)
Air temperature change with altitude
Air temperature change with altitude
Temperature decreases as altitude increases
Why cooling air affects cloud formation
Why cooling air affects cloud formation
Cooler air has reduced capacity to hold moisture
Dew point definition
Dew point definition
Temperature where air becomes saturated (100% humidity)
Condensation nuclei
Condensation nuclei
Particles that water vapour condenses onto
Examples of condensation nuclei
Examples of condensation nuclei
Dust particles, salt crystals, pollution particles
Why condensation nuclei are essential
Why condensation nuclei are essential
Without them, water vapour can't condense into visible clouds
What forms during condensation stage
What forms during condensation stage
Tiny water droplets or ice crystals around nuclei
Factor determining water vs ice droplets
Factor determining water vs ice droplets
Temperature at condensation level
Result of no condensation nuclei
Result of no condensation nuclei
No visible clouds, even if air is saturated