Precipitation/ Cloud LabPrecipitation/ Cloud Lab

Investigation 1Investigation 1

How precipitation forms cloudsHow precipitation forms clouds

Clouds form when humid air rises upward. Clouds form when humid air rises upward. As the air rises it expands. The further the As the air rises it expands. The further the air molecules rise into the atmosphere the air molecules rise into the atmosphere the cooler they become.cooler they become.

Water droplets or vapor depositions (turns to Water droplets or vapor depositions (turns to crystals) forming clouds.crystals) forming clouds.

Water vapor that cools closer to the ground Water vapor that cools closer to the ground has reached its dew point temperature and has reached its dew point temperature and becomes fog.becomes fog.

Cloud informationCloud information

Cloud Altitude: The height above ground level where water Cloud Altitude: The height above ground level where water condenses.condenses.

Cloud Coverage: Percentage of the sky clouds cover.Cloud Coverage: Percentage of the sky clouds cover. 1. Clear-no clouds, 1. Clear-no clouds, 2. Scattered- 25% of the sky has clouds 2. Scattered- 25% of the sky has clouds 3. Partly cloudy- 50% of the sky has clouds3. Partly cloudy- 50% of the sky has clouds 4. cloudy- 75% of the sky has clouds4. cloudy- 75% of the sky has clouds 5. Sky obscured-100% of the sky covered with clouds5. Sky obscured-100% of the sky covered with clouds

Cloud movement: Move in the direction the wind blowsCloud movement: Move in the direction the wind blows

Cloud Types (Chart)Cloud Types (Chart)

PrecipitationPrecipitation

Forms when rain (water) droplets grow Forms when rain (water) droplets grow large enough to fall out of the clouds.large enough to fall out of the clouds.

Rain Gauge: measures the amount of rain Rain Gauge: measures the amount of rain that falls on a level surface without soaking that falls on a level surface without soaking into the ground.into the ground.

Precipitation/Cloud LabPrecipitation/Cloud Lab

1. Explain and illustrate how clouds and 1. Explain and illustrate how clouds and precipitation are produced in the precipitation are produced in the atmosphere.atmosphere.

2.Give the types of clouds, altitude, and 2.Give the types of clouds, altitude, and coverage outside today.coverage outside today.

3.Write the procedure to constructing a rain 3.Write the procedure to constructing a rain gauge.gauge.

4.Include a copy of the water cycle and cloud 4.Include a copy of the water cycle and cloud chart in your lab.chart in your lab.

Cloud ChartCloud Chart

Altitude ScaleAltitude Scale 3-dimensional clouds with similar shape to 3-dimensional clouds with similar shape to

actual clouds.actual clouds. Clouds are labeledClouds are labeled Sea-level illustratedSea-level illustrated