How do clouds form?

How do clouds form?

• A. Evaporation of water
• B. Sublimation of ice to water vapor
• C. Condensation of water vapor into liquid water or ice
• D. Deposition of dust into water vapor

Answer: (C)

Clouds form when water vapor in the air cools enough to change into tiny droplets or ice crystals. This is condensation (and in very cold conditions, deposition onto dust particles to make ice). When air rises and cools to its dew point, the air becomes saturated, and water vapor gathers on condensation nuclei like dust or pollen to create visible cloud droplets or crystals. Evaporation adds water vapor to the air, but it’s the cooling and condensation of that vapor into liquid water or ice that creates clouds.

Clouds form when water vapor in the air cools enough to change into tiny droplets or ice crystals. This is condensation (and in very cold conditions, deposition onto dust particles to make ice). When air rises and cools to its dew point, the air becomes saturated, and water vapor gathers on condensation nuclei like dust or pollen to create visible cloud droplets or crystals. Evaporation adds water vapor to the air, but it’s the cooling and condensation of that vapor into liquid water or ice that creates clouds.