Cloud Prefixes and Types
This cloud prefix mean a "pile or heap" and describes fluffy, white clouds.
Cumulo/ Cumulus
The state of atmosphere at a specific place and time, describing temperature, pressure and humidity.
What is weather
This tool measures in Fahrenheit or Celsius
What is thermometer
Name all 3 ingredients required in the atmosphere to form a cloud.
Water vapor, cooling air, and condensation nuclei
The process when liquid water warms up and turns into water vapor
What is evaporation
This cloud prefix means "flat or layered"clouds that cover the sky like a blanket.
Strato/Stratus
Water that has transformed into an invisible gas through heat and evaporation.
What is water vapor?
This tool measures wind speed in miles per hours (mph).
What is an anemometer
In warm air, particles move quickly and spead out (less dense); in cool air, particles move slowly and pack closely (more dense.
The process where plants release water vapor into the atmosphere from their leaves.
What is transpiration
This high level cloud prefix means "hair-like or wispy."
Cirros/ Cirrus
A measure of how hot and cold something is.
What is temperature
This tool measures the air pressure in bars or in millibars.
What is a barometer
This happens when relative humidity reaches 100% in the atmosphere.
What is condensation exceeds evaporation, forming a clouds and precipation
The continuous cycle of rising warm air (less dense) and sinking cool air (denser)
What is a convection current
This prefix indicates mid-level clouds and and literally translate to "above"
Alto
A measure in the amount of water vapor floating in the atmosphere
What is humidity
This specialized tool measures relative humidity in percentage. (%)
What is a Sling Psychrometer
It flow from high to low pressure
Name the TWO primary driving forces behind the entire water cycle
The SUN (Energy) and GRAVITY (Force)
This cloud mean "rain cloud"- such as a towering thunderstorm cloud.
Nimbus/ Cumulonimbus
Tiny floating particles of dust, ash or pollution in the air where water vapor condenses to form clouds.
Condensation Nuclei
The force of air pushing down on an object; air naturally flows from high to low areas of this.
What is air pressure
Step by step: Describe how warm water vapor turns into cloud droplets in the sky
Warm water evaporates, rises, cools at high altitudes, and condenses onto floating dust/ash particles.
The force responsible for causing cooled, denser fluid t sink and water to flow downhill as runoff
What is Gravity