The barometric pressure is lower, and lower barometric pressure is associated with fewer molecules per unit volume. At higher altitudes, there is less air above, and, thus, less air pressure pressing down. The pressure (weight), called barometric pressure, that results is a consequence of the density of the air above. ![]() Air has mass (and, because of gravity on Earth, weight) and at sea level the weight of a column of air pressing down on your head is about 14 ½ pounds (6.6 kilograms) per square inch. But, do you know why the atmosphere cools above the Earth's surface? Generally, air pressure, is the reason. The key to this process is that air near the Earth's surface is warmed by solar radiation. Changing cloud patterns modify the Earth's energy balance, and, in turn, temperatures on the Earth's surface.Īs we said, clouds form in the atmosphere because air containing water vapor rises and cools. Often at night, clouds act as a "blanket," keeping a portion of the day's heat next to the surface. They influence the Earth's climate by reflecting incoming solar radiation (heat) back to space and outgoing radiation (terrestrial) from the Earth's surface. Clouds regulate the flow of radiant energy into and out of Earth's climate system. The clouds formed by condensation are an intricate and critical component of Earth's environment. Tap the picture to get an in-depth explanation. This picture shows cumulonimbus clouds over Africa photographed from the International Space Station. This seems to happen too often during picnics or when large groups of people gather at swimming pools. Precipitation is essentially water in its liquid or solid form falling from the base of a cloud. As water droplets combine (also known as coalescence) with each other, and grow in size, clouds not only develop, but precipitation may also occur. This process occurs higher in the sky where the air is cooler and more condensation occurs relative to evaporation. Cloud droplets can vary greatly in size, from 10 microns (millionths of a meter) to 1 millimeter (mm), and even as large as 5 mm. Depending on weather conditions, water molecules will combine with tiny particles of dust, salt, and smoke in the air to form cloud droplets, which combine and grow and develop into clouds, a form of water we can see. Why is this tiny cloud the only one in the sky?Įven though clouds are absent in a crystal clear blue sky, water is still present in the form of water vapor and droplets which are too small to be seen. Sources/Usage: Some content may have restrictions. As condensation occurs and liquid water forms from the vapor, the water molecules become more organized and heat is released into the atmosphere as a result. Water molecules in the vapor form are arranged more randomly than in liquid water. The phase change that accompanies water as it moves between its vapor, liquid, and solid form is exhibited in the arrangement of water molecules. Condensation is responsible for ground-level fog, for your glasses fogging up when you go from a cold room to the outdoors on a hot, humid day, for the water that drips off the outside of your glass of iced tea, and for the water on the inside of the windows in your home on a cold day. You don't have to look at something as far away as a cloud to notice condensation, though. ![]() Condensation is the opposite of evaporation. These clouds may produce precipitation, which is the primary route for water to return to the Earth's surface within the water cycle. ![]() Condensation is crucial to the water cycle because it is responsible for the formation of clouds. Surface runoff Condensation and the Water CycleĬondensation is the process by which water vapor in the air is changed into liquid water.
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