The Water Cycle Clouds and Water Vapor

What’s Up With Water? Water is everywhere. Water can be found in 3 different states, solid, liquid, and gas. Water falling from the sky is called Precipitation. There are four types of precipitation: rain, snow, sleet, and hail.

Types of Precipitation Precipitation is determined by air temperature Rain- in warm air, water vapor forms rain Snow- cold air causes water vapor to form snowflakes Sleet- small ice pellets Hail- lumps of ice

What is a Cloud? Clouds are formed by warm air being forced upward. ( moist air is lighter than dry air) Warm air expands then cools Water vapor condenses into water droplets Droplets are so small they remain suspended in air and form around dust particles and other particles in the air. Billions of these droplets form a cloud

Types of Clouds Clouds are classified by shape and height Shape and height vary because of temperature, pressure, and amt. of water vapor Three main types- Cirrus, Stratus, and Cumulus Three main heights- Cirro (high), Alto (middle), Strato (low)

Clouds