Up in the Clouds

An Instructional Module ByHeather Tonsberg

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Welcome my fellow Nepholologist!A Neph-o-lo-lo-gist is a person who

studies clouds. Today we are going to do just that! We are going to explore what exactly a cloud is and some of the different kinds of clouds that we see in the sky. After you finish exploring each page make sure you take the quiz.

Are you ready?Click on the balloon to get started and hold on as we go up into the

clouds!

GO!

Cumulus Clouds

Quiz

What is a cloud?

Cirrus Clouds

Stratus Clouds

What is a cloud?A cloud is a large collection of very tiny droplets

of water or ice crystals.

The droplets are so small and light that they can float in the air.

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How are clouds made?All air contains water, but near the ground it is usually in the form of an invisible gas called water vapor. When warm air rises, it expands and cools. Cool air can't hold as much water vapor as warm air, so some of the vapor condenses onto tiny pieces of dust that are floating in the air and forms a tiny droplet around each dust particle. When billions of these droplets come together they become a visible cloud.

Why are clouds white?

Clouds are white because they reflect the light of the sun. Light is made up of colors of the rainbow and when you add them all together you get white. The sun appears a yellow color because it sends out more yellow light than any other color. Clouds reflect all the colors the exact same amount so they look white.

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Cirrus CloudsCirrus clouds are the most common of the high clouds.

They are composed of ice and are thin, wispy clouds blown in high winds into long streamers.

Cirrus clouds are usually white and predict nice weather.

Look out the nearest window. Do you see any cirrus clouds right now?

By watching the movement of cirrus clouds you can tell from which direction weather is approaching.

When you see cirrus clouds, it usually indicates that a change in the weather will occur within 24 hours.

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Stratus CloudsStratus clouds are uniform grayish clouds that often cover the entire

sky.

They look like a big gray

blanket that hangs close to

the ground.

Stratus clouds mean rain if it is warm and snow if it is cold.

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Usually stratus clouds and fog form when it has been cold out and then warmer, wet air blows in.

As the warm air flows over the cold ground or over the cold air near the ground, the water vapor in the warm air condenses into drops of water that make a cloud.

Cumulus Clouds

Cumulus clouds are white, puffy clouds that look like pieces of floating cotton. Cumulus clouds are often called "fair-weather clouds".

The base of each cloud is flat and the top of each cloud has rounded towers.

How can you tell that these clouds are cumulus clouds?

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When the top of the cumulus clouds resemble the head of a cauliflower, it is called cumulus congestus or towering cumulus.

These clouds grow upward and they can develop into giant cumulonimbus clouds, which are thunderstorm clouds.

Quiz Time!

I hope you were paying attention!

Click through the quiz and answer the questions based on what you learned about clouds.

Good Luck! GO!

Questio

n 1What is a cloud?

A. A collection of tiny droplets of water or ice crystalsB. A collection of frozen fogC. A collection of air that is heavier than other airD. A collection of airplane pollution

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Correct!Good Job!

Next?

IncorrectSorry!

Try Again

Questio

n 2What is a nepholologist?

A. A person who studies trees and flowersB. A person who studies dinosaursC. A person who studies cloudsD. A person who studies humans

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Correct!Good Job!

Next?

IncorrectSorry!

Try Again

Questio

n 3Cool air can hold as much water as warm air.

True or False

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Correct!Good Job!

Next?

IncorrectSorry!

Try Again

Questio

n 4

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Cirrus clouds are…

A. Long and thickB. Fat and chunkyC. Tall and wideD. Thin and wispy

Correct!Good Job!

Next?

IncorrectSorry!

Try Again

Questio

n 5

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Which clouds are called “fair weather” clouds?

A. Cirrus CloudsB. Stratus CloudsC. Cumulus Clouds

Correct!Good Job!

Next?

IncorrectSorry!

Try Again

Questio

n 6

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Clouds are white because they reflect the sun.

True or False

Correct!Good Job!

Next?

IncorrectSorry!

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Questio

n 7

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You can recognize a cumulus cloud from its…

A. Rounded bottom and flat topB. Flat bottom and towered topC. Flat bottom and flat topD. Rounded bottom and rounded top

Correct!Good Job!

Next?

IncorrectSorry!

Try Again

Questio

n 8

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Which clouds look like a gray blanket?

A. Stratus CloudsB. Cumulus CloudsC. Cirrus Clouds

Correct!Good Job!

Next?

IncorrectSorry!

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Questio

n 9

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Cumulus clouds can become thunderstorm clouds.

True or False

Correct!You’re Done!

Finish

IncorrectSorry!

Try Again

Learn More!

Cloud Experiment

Cloud Types

Cool Clouds

Cloud Formations

Clouds Fast Facts

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CONGRATULATIONS!YOU HAVE FINISHED!

Exit

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