Deck 5: Forms of Condensation and Precipitation

Question 1

Which type of fog occurs during nights when skies are clear and relative humidity is high?

A) steam fog
B) evaporation fog
C) advection fog
D) radiation fog

Answer 1

D

Question 2

Cirrus uncinus clouds are often precursors of:

A) lenticular clouds.
B) clear skies.
C) calm conditions.
D) bad weather.

Answer 2

D

Question 3

Most of the precipitation that falls in the middle latitudes is formed by:

A) the Bergeron process.
B) condensation of water vapor.
C) spontaneous freezing of water droplets in the absence of condensation nuclei.
D) collision- coalescence.

Answer 3

A

Question 4

Which of these clouds is least likely to produce precipitation that reaches the ground?

A) nimbostratus
B) stratus
C) cirrostratus
D) cumulonimbus

Question 5

How do evaporation fogs differ from other types of fog?

A) They are created when the air is cooled down to the saturation point.
B) They are created through adiabatic cooling.
C) They only occur when the air is stationary over a surface with a similar temperature.
D) They are created when water vapor is added to the air.

Question 6

Supercooled water is water which is:

A) part liquid and part solid.
B) a special form of ice.
C) produced from dry ice.
D) still liquid at temperatures below 0°C.

Question 7

Contrails formed by aircrafts most closely mimic which type of cloud?

A) cirrocumulus
B) stratus
C) fair- weather cumulus
D) cirrus

Question 8

The growth of a cloud droplet into a rain drop large enough to fall to Earth in a WARM cloud is accomplished primarily through:

A) condensation of water vapor.
B) supercooling of water.
C) collision and coalescence.
D) hygroscopic action.
E) evaporation of water in the cloud.

Question 9

If you want to have a good snowball fight, you should wait for a day when it is snowing and:

A) the dew point is below - 10°C.
B) the snow is very powdery.
C) the temperature is above - 5°C (23°F).
D) the temperature is below - 5°C (23°F).

Question 10

Clouds are classified and named according to their altitude and:

A) size of droplets in the cloud.
B) temperature.
C) form or appearance.
D) amount of precipitation produced.
E) water content.

Question 11

Which association is correct?

A) vertical cloud...nimbostratus
B) high cloud...altostratus
C) low cloud...cirrocumulus
D) low cloud...stratus
E) middle cloud...cirrus

Question 12

A radiation fog requires which of the following in order to form?

A) high relative humidity and clear nighttime skies
B) warm air moving over a cold surface
C) a warm body of water and a cold breeze
D) cold air moving up a slope

Question 13

A cumulus cloud is recognized mainly by its:

A) obvious vertical dimension.
B) darkness or color.
C) layered structure.
D) precipitation.
E) association with high winds.

Question 14

Dew point is the temperature at which water vapor in the air begins to condense. The temperature inside a cloud would therefore be:

A) just above the dew point.
B) below freezing.
C) way above the dew point.
D) about equal to the dew point.

Question 15

Of the following cloud types, which is most likely to produce the most rain?

A) stratus
B) altocumulus
C) nimbostratus
D) cumulus
E) stratocumulus

Question 16

All of the following are necessary ingredients for cloud formation EXCEPT:

A) adequate water vapor content.
B) warm surface air temperatures.
C) rising, cooling air.
D) condensation nuclei.

Question 17

The conditions that persist along the West Coast of the U. S. that are conducive to fog formation are:

A) steep lapse rate and a warm surface.
B) inversions and a warm land surface.
C) moist air moving over a cold surface.
D) steep lapse rate and cold surface.
E) inversions and a warm water surface.

Question 18

The type of fog produced when cold air moves over a warm, moist surface is called:

A) advection fog.
B) frontal fog.
C) radiation fog.
D) steam fog.

Question 19

The process of releasing silver iodide into the atmosphere to stimulate rainfall is called:

A) cloud seeding.
B) rain enhancement.
C) artificial droplet supplementation.
D) precipitation harvesting.

Question 20

The most important process for cloud formation in the atmosphere is:

A) radiational cooling.
B) cooling by loss of latent heat.
C) cooling through the adiabatic process.
D) cooling by compression of the air.

Question 21

The water content or volume of a raindrop is approximately ________ times that of a typical cloud droplet.

A) 1 billion
B) 100
C) 10
D) 1 million
E) 1000

Question 22

Cloud droplets are rarely able to grow through condensation beyond a radius of 20 micrometers because:

A) the statement is false - cloud droplets can actually grow much larger.
B) the supply of water vapor is quickly consumed by the many competing droplets.
C) the adiabatic process stops working when condensation begins.
D) the air gets too cold as condensation occurs.

Question 23

The____________ cloud may have an "anvil head."

A) cirrus
B) nimbostratus
C) cirrostratus
D) cumulonimbus
E) altostratus

Question 24

When supercooled droplets freeze directly to very cold surfaces and create fine, needle- like ice crystals, the result is:

A) uncinus.
B) graupel.
C) rime.
D) virga.

Question 25

Clouds, dew and frost all form because air has become saturated. This condition of saturation is USUALLY caused by:

A) an abundance of condensation nuclei.
B) the air being cooled.
C) adding water vapor.
D) lack of convective mixing.
E) a temperature increase.

Question 26

The process of cloud seeding is based on the theory that:

A) silver iodide crystals make droplets heavier than usual so that they fall to the ground.
B) it is impossible to add too many freezing nuclei; the more you add, the more rain will fall.
C) silver iodide crystals act as freezing nuclei and enhance the Bergeron process.
D) warm clouds will produce more rain if droplets are encouraged to freeze inside the cloud.

Question 27

The formation of raindrops by collision and coalescence of smaller cloud droplets is strongly influenced by:

A) number of droplets in the cloud.
B) presence of dust.
C) dew point temperature of the cloud.
D) electrical charges on the droplets.
E) solar radiation.

Question 28

The weather forecast is calling for blizzard conditions. What kind of conditions can you expect at a minimum?

A) winds of at least 35 mph for a minimum of 3 hours
B) winds of at least 50 mph for a minimum of 3 hours
C) heavy snowfall of at least 3 inches per hour, but with calm winds
D) visibility of 1/2 mile or better

Question 29

Which type of instrument measures rainfall by channeling the rain into small alternating collectors located just below a funnel?

A) hygrometer
B) weighing gauge
C) tipping- rain gauge
D) standard rain gauge

Question 30

Which association is NOT correct?

A) high cloud...cirrus
B) high cloud...nimbostratus
C) middle cloud...altostratus
D) vertical cloud...cumulus

Question 31

The important difference between liquid droplets and ice crystals in a supercooled cloud is that ice crystals:

A) are smaller.
B) grow much more rapidly.
C) increase the water vapor content of the cloud.
D) are more pure.

Question 32

Rain that evaporates before it hits the ground, forming characteristic streaks below clouds, is known as:

A) uncinus.
B) graupel.
C) fractus.
D) virga.

Question 33

The cloud droplets in a cloud are formed by water vapor molecules and:

A) protons.
B) condensation nuclei.
C) ions.
D) other water vapor molecules.
E) molecules of air.

Question 34

Clouds and precipitation form in the air primarily due to:

A) absorption of infrared radiation.
B) release of latent heat.
C) excessive numbers of condensation nuclei.
D) air being cooled as it rises.
E) moisture being added to the air.

Question 35

The necessary conditions for hail formation include strong upward vertical motion and:

A) raindrops larger than 5 mm.
B) large numbers of particulates.
C) large numbers of supercooled droplets.
D) warm temperatures at high levels in the cloud.

Question 36

This cloud sometimes resembles mare's tails.

A) cirrus
B) altostratus
C) cumulonimbus
D) nimbostratus
E) cirrostratus

Question 37

Snowfall depths can be tricky to measure because:

A) there is no automated instrument capable of measuring snowfall.
B) snow usually melts too quickly once it reaches the surface.
C) it is difficult to locate instruments far enough away from buildings.
D) wind causes snow to vary in depth across the surface.

Question 38

When humid air moves up a slope or mountain side, a(n)__________ fog may form.

A) radiation
B) upslope
C) advection
D) valley

Question 39

Pure water suspended in the atmosphere will freeze at a temperature of:

A) 32°F
B) 0°C
C) - 40°C
D) - 10°C

Question 40

Freezing rain (ice storm) or sleet occurs when:

A) both surface and upper air are warm.
B) both surface and upper air are cold.
C) the air at the surface is very warm compared to the cloud.
D) there is a warm layer of air between the cloud and the cold surface.

Question 41

Under which of the following conditions would a heavy snowfall warning be issued?

A) snowfall of ten inches in 24 hours
B) snowfall of four inches in 12 hours
C) snowfall of four inches in one hour
D) all of the above

Question 42

The primary motivation for hail suppression experiments is:

A) to prevent or lessen damage to crops and property.
B) to generate more rain and less hail in order to supplement the water supply.
C) to reduce loss of human life in severe hail storms.
D) to protect endangered species living in hail- prone areas.

Question 43

Who first created the cloud classification system on which our modern system is based?

A) Benjamin Franklin
B) Luke Howard
C) Andrew Ellis
D) Tor Bergeron

Question 44

The process by which a cloud droplet first forms is:

A) supercooling.
B) evaporation.
C) precipitation.
D) collision and coalescence.
E) condensation.

Question 45

High clouds are those that form at altitudes of at least:

A) 6500 ft (2000 m).
B) 65,617 ft (20,000 m).
C) 32,800 ft (10,000 m).
D) 20,000 ft (6000 m).

Question 46

Where are lenticular clouds most likely to form?

A) to the lee of mountains
B) over oceans
C) along coastlines
D) in desert regions

Question 47

The growth of a hailstone usually involves everything EXCEPT:

A) being carried several times into the frozen region of the cloud by updrafts.
B) spontaneous freezing of large water droplets into hail stones.
C) the development of alternating layers of clear and cloudy ice.
D) ice pellets encountering supercooled water droplets.

Question 48

The most common way for air to be cooled in order that a cloud may form is by:

A) sinking and contracting.
B) evaporating water.
C) emitting radiation.
D) reflecting radiation.
E) rising and expanding.

Question 49

How are jet contrails thought to influence the surface temperatures of cities near major airports?

A) Decrease the daily temperature range.
B) Definitely make the daily mean temperature cooler.
C) Definitely make the daily mean temperature warmer.
D) They have no measurable influence on surface temperature.

Question 50

What is the basic reason why condensation is not very important in causing a cloud droplet to grow to raindrop size?

A) There are too many droplets competing for the available water vapor.
B) Not enough condensation nuclei are present.
C) Electrical effects limit condensation.
D) The question is incorrect; condensation is very important.

Question 51

Under what conditions does light and fluffy snow form?

A) warm air and low humidity
B) cold air and no humidity
C) cold air and low humidity
D) warm air and high humidity

Question 52

A cloud that forms liquid droplets has a relative humidity of 100 percent with respect to the liquid droplets. If temperature is <0°C and ice crystals form in this cloud, the relative humidity will be_________ with respect to the ice crystals.

A) 0 percent
B) 100 percent
C) less that 100 percent
D) more than 100 percent

Question 53

Clouds which have extensive vertical dimensions are often classified as:

A) cumulus.
B) lenticularis.
C) cirrus.
D) nimbus.

Question 54

Which of these is a mid- level cloud?

A) cirrus
B) altostratus
C) stratocumulus
D) cumulus
E) stratus

Question 55

How would a droplet formed on a hygroscopic nuclei compare to a droplet that formed on a hydrophobic nuclei?

A) The hygroscopic nuclei droplet would be larger.
B) The droplet on the hydrophobic nuclei would be smaller.
C) The droplet on the hygroscopic nuclei would form at a lower relative humidity.
D) Both A and C
E) Both B and C.

Question 56

Snow pillows are:

A) large panels that calculate snow water equivalent by measuring the weight of collected snow.
B) large, aggregated snowflakes that stick together as they are falling.
C) instruments that automatically measure snow depth.
D) unique snow formations that form on the ground during high winds.

Question 57

You observe a cloud at an altitude of 3000 m. This cloud name would have the prefix:

A) alto.
B) medial.
C) strato.
D) cirro.

Question 58

The Bergeron process causes cloud droplets to grow because:

A) water freezes instantly when its temperature reaches 0°C.
B) freezing nuclei are much more common in the atmosphere than other condensation nuclei.
C) the saturation vapor pressure is lower near ice crystals than it is near supercooled droplets.
D) larger drops fall and collect smaller droplets in the cloud.

Question 59

When warm moist air moves over a cold surface, _________ fog may result.

A) steam
B) advection
C) upslope
D) precipitation
E) radiation

Question 60

Why are high altitude clouds always so thin?

A) Air layers are stable there.
B) Not enough particulates are present.
C) Winds are faster at high levels.
D) Very little water vapor is present.
E) Air layers are unstable there.

Question 61

Why do the liquid droplets that form a cloud (cloud droplets) not fall to the ground as a fine drizzle?

Question 62

You are flying in an airplane at 36,000 feet above sea level. You see lightning outside your plane window. The cloud that is close by is:

A) cirrus.
B) altocumulus.
C) stratus.
D) cumulonimbus.
E) cumulus.

Question 63

Thunder and lightning are associated with the________ cloud.

A) cirrus
B) cirrostratus
C) nimbostratus
D) altostratus
E) cumulonimbus

Question 64

The cloud form that is best described as sheets or layers that cover much or all of the sky is termed:

A) mackerel sky.
B) cirrus.
C) cumulus.
D) stratus.
E) alto.

Question 65

A(n) ________is a low layer of dark gray clouds that produces precipitation.

A) cirrus
B) nimbostratus
C) cirrostratus
D) altostratus
E) cumulonimbus

Question 66

What measurement does radar provide concerning clouds and precipitation?

Question 67

List the two requirements that a cumulonimbus cloud must meet if hail is to form.

Question 68

Which cloud type is most likely to produce a brief yet intense period of precipitation?

Question 69

Which association is NOT correct?

A) lenticular...associated with rainbows
B) uncinus...hook- shaped
C) mammatus...rounded, udder- like bottoms
D) fractus...clouds broken into smaller pieces

Question 70

The___________ cloud is confined to the middle height range.

A) cirrus
B) cirrostratus
C) altostratus
D) nimbostratus
E) cumulonimbus

Question 71

Hail is most commonly associated with:

A) nimbostratus clouds.
B) cirrocumulus clouds.
C) cirrus clouds.
D) altostratus clouds.
E) cumulonimbus clouds.

Question 72

Salt, dust particles, and smoke are all examples of:

A) freezing nuclei.
B) hydrophobic nuclei.
C) anthropogenically- produced cloud nuclei.
D) condensation nuclei.

Question 73

Graupel is:

A) hail stones that have been shattered into pieces.
B) a special instrument used to measure snow water equivalent.
C) "soft hail" produced by rime.
D) rain that evaporates before it hits the ground.

Question 74

Hygroscopic nuclei:

A) are not generally found in nature.
B) are not the most ideal type of condensation nuclei for encouraging droplet growth.
C) repel water and prevent condensation.
D) can allow cloud droplets to form even if the relative humidity is less than 100%.

Question 75

Steam fogs and frontal fogs are both types of ________fogs.

Question 76

A halo around the Sun or the Moon indicates the cloud__________ is present.

A) nimbostratus
B) cumulonimbus
C) cirrostratus
D) cirrus
E) altostratus

Question 77

The most effective cloud condensation nuclei are water absorbent, known as nuclei.

Question 78

Frost is an example of _____ .

Question 79

List the two different precipitation measurements that are applied to snowfall.

Question 80

How does drizzle differ from rain?

A) It has a smaller diameter.
B) It forms at higher altitudes.
C) It is warmer.
D) It is evaporating before it hits the ground.