An Instructional Module By Heather Tonsberg Start

Welcome my fellow Nepholologist! A Neph-o-lo-lo-gist is a person who studies clouds. Today we are going to do just that! We are going to explore what exactly a cloud is and some of the different kinds of clouds that we see in the sky. After you finish exploring each page make sure you take the quiz. Are you ready? Click on the balloon to get started and hold on as we go up into the clouds! GO !

Cumulus Clouds What is a cloud? Cirrus Clouds Stratus Clouds

What is a cloud? A cloud is a large collection of very tiny droplets of water or ice crystals. The droplets are so small and light that they can float in the air. Next

How are clouds made? All air contains water, but near the ground it is usually in the form of an invisible gas called water vapor. When warm air rises, it expands and cools. Cool air can't hold as much water vapor as warm air, so some of the vapor condenses onto tiny pieces of dust that are floating in the air and forms a tiny droplet around each dust particle. When billions of these droplets come together they become a visible cloud.

Why are clouds white? Clouds are white because they reflect the light of the sun. Light is made up of colors of the rainbow and when you add them all together you get white. The sun appears a yellow color because it sends out more yellow light than any other color. Clouds reflect all the colors the exact same amount so they look white. Menu

Cirrus clouds are the most common of the high clouds. They are composed of ice and are thin, wispy clouds blown in high winds into long streamers.

Cirrus clouds are usually white and predict nice weather. Look out the nearest window. Do you see any cirrus clouds right now?

By watching the movement of cirrus clouds you can tell from which direction weather is approaching. When you see cirrus clouds, it usually indicates that a change in the weather will occur within 24 hours. Menu

Stratus clouds are uniform grayish clouds that often cover the entire sky. They look like a big gray blanket that hangs close to the ground.

Stratus clouds mean rain if it is warm and snow if it is cold.

Menu Usually stratus clouds and fog form when it has been cold out and then warmer, wet air blows in. As the warm air flows over the cold ground or over the cold air near the ground, the water vapor in the warm air condenses into drops of water that make a cloud.

Cumulus clouds are white, puffy clouds that look like pieces of floating cotton. Cumulus clouds are often called "fair-weather clouds".

The base of each cloud is flat and the top of each cloud has rounded towers. How can you tell that these clouds are cumulus clouds?

Menu When the top of the cumulus clouds resemble the head of a cauliflower, it is called cumulus congestus or towering cumulus. These clouds grow upward and they can develop into giant cumulonimbus clouds, which are thunderstorm clouds.

Quiz Time! I hope you were paying attention! Click through the quiz and answer the questions based on what you learned about clouds. Good Luck! GO !

Question 1 What is a cloud? A. A collection of tiny droplets of water or ice crystals B. A collection of frozen fog C. A collection of air that is heavier than other air D. A collection of airplane pollution Menu

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Question 2 What is a nepholologist? A. A person who studies trees and flowers B. A person who studies dinosaurs C. A person who studies clouds D. A person who studies humans Menu

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Question 3 Cool air can hold as much water as warm air. TrueorFalse Menu

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Question 4 Menu Cirrus clouds are… A. Long and thick B. Fat and chunky C. Tall and wide D. Thin and wispy

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Question 5 Menu Which clouds are called “fair weather” clouds? A. Cirrus Clouds B. Stratus Clouds C. Cumulus Clouds

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Question 6 Menu Clouds are white because they reflect the sun. TrueorFalse

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Question 7 Menu You can recognize a cumulus cloud from its… A. Rounded bottom and flat top B. Flat bottom and towered top C. Flat bottom and flat top D. Rounded bottom and rounded top

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Question 8 Menu Which clouds look like a gray blanket? A. Stratus Clouds B. Cumulus Clouds C. Cirrus Clouds

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Question 9 Menu Cumulus clouds can become thunderstorm clouds. TrueorFalse

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Cloud ExperimentCloud Types Cool Clouds Cloud Formations Clouds Fast Facts Next

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