Water Cycle
Energy is transferred from the __________ to the __________ above it.
ground/ocean
air
What powers the water cycle?
Why can tropical monsoon storms produce large amounts of rain? (Explain the whole process)
Warm ocean water causes evaporation
High humidity means air contains a lot of water vapor
Warm air rises, carrying water vapor upward
Rising air allows clouds to continue growing
Strong upward air movement keeps water in the storm
What is updraft?
An upward movement of air.
What is precipitation?
Water in the form of a liquid (rain) or solid (hail, sleet, snow) falling from the sky.
Water turning from vapor into rain droplets is an example of what process?
condensation
When air loses energy as it rises, it becomes more __________ and may __________ back toward the surface.
dense
sink/fall
Why are monsoon storms are more likely to form in July than in January? (Name at least TWO reasons)
July has warmer water than January
July has higher humidity
Warm water and moist air provide more energy
January conditions do not support storm formation
In order for water to stay in a cloud, what two forces need to be equal?
Gravity and updraft
What is our air mostly made up of?
Nitrogen
Air near the ocean surface is usually __________, while air higher in the atmosphere is __________.
Warm, Cold
Rain, sleet, snow and hail are examples of what process?
precipitation
How does ocean spray (sea salt) help monsoon storms hold more water and produce heavier rainfall?
Sea salt acts as CCN
More CCN allows more water vapor to condense
This increases cloud water and rainfall
______ dense air falls down to the earth's surface.
More
Winds from the north tends to make temperatures _____.
Colder
What processes put water vapor into the atmosphere?
evaporation
Water vapor condenses around tiny particles in the air called __________ __________ __________ (CCN).
Cloud Condensation Nuclei
Why does water in a cloud not immediately fall back down to the ocean/ground?
Strong upward air movement pushes water up (updraft).
Updraft is stronger than the force of gravity.
______ dense air rise up to the earths upper atmosphere
Less
What is humidity?
The amount of water the air can hold at a certain temperature.
As warm air rises, it transfers energy to the __________ __________.
Surrounding air
Which of the following best describes what clouds are made of?
A. fog that has risen from the ground
B. large amounts of water that has evaporated
C. water vapor that has condensed into droplets
D. rain or snow that has been pushed together by wind
C. water vapor that has condensed into droplets
The polar regions are cold all year round. Why is a place like Hawaii warm all year?
Hawaii is closer to the equator and receives more direct sunlight
The transfer of energy from the ocean/ground to the air above it is called...
Conduction
What device do we use to measure humidity?
Humidity probe