Earth Science Hook

1. Earth ScienceHook

2. Clouds

3. How do Clouds Form? • In order for clouds to form you need the following: • Low Pressure • Relatively “humid” air • Condensation Clouds form when water vapor in the air becomes liquid water or ice crystals

4. At what height do clouds form? • Clouds form at various heights. One thing that scientists know is that cloud formation is based on the DEW POINT!! • So clouds form at the dew point temperature in the air. • Because the earth does not warm up evenly, clouds don’t all develop at the same height!

5. Three Major Types and Height • Stratus • Cumulus • Cirrus

6. Stratus • Latin word meaning “to spread out” • Horizontal, layered clouds that stretch out across the sky like a blanket. • Form when warm-moist air passes over a layer of cool air. • Low-level clouds

7. 3 kind of Low Level clouds • Stratus • Nimbostratus • Stratocumulus

9. Rain comes out of these clouds!!

11. Cumulus • Latin word meaning “heap” or “a pile” • Puffy in appearance • Large cotton balls • Form when warm, moist air is forced upward. • Mid-Level clouds

12. Middle Level Clouds • Cumulus • Altocumulus • Altostratus

13. Cumulus

14. Altocumulus

15. Altostratus

16. Cirrus • Latin word meaning “tuft” or “curl of hair” • Very wispy and feathery looking • Form in very high altitudes!! • 7km above earth’s surface • Composed of ice crystals and are so thin the sunlight can pass right through them

17. High Level Clouds • Cirrus • Cirrocumulus • Cirrostratus

18. Cirrus

21. Cirrostratus

22. 2 extra ones… • Contrails • Cumulonimbus

23. Contrails • Clouds that are created by airplanes • Planes leave CO2 and steam from their giant tailpipes • These cool and become clouds!!

26. The mother of them all….. • Cumulonimbus!!! • Commonly known as Thunder Heads! • Vertical development is caused by temperature difference between the clouds and the air around it… • This unstable air is what causes THUNDERSTORMS