everyone had seen clouds.They are big and small, almost transparent and very thick, white or dark, ominous.Taking a different shape, they resemble animals and objects.But what clouds are formed and why they look like?This will tell later.
What is Cloud
one who flew the plane, probably "passed" through the cloud and noticed that it looks like a fog, but it is not directly on the ground and in the sky.A comparison is quite logical, because the one and the other is a conventional steam.And it, in turn, consists of microscopic water droplets.Where did they come from?
This water rises into the air by evaporation from the surface of the earth and water.Therefore, the greatest accumulation of clouds observed over the seas.For the year evaporates from the surface of about 400 thousand cubic kilometers, which is 4 times higher than the land.
What types of clouds are?It all depends on the state of water, which is their way.It can be a gas, liquid or solid.It may seem surprising, but some clouds really consist of pieces of ice.
We've found that clouds are formed by the accumulation of a large number of particles of water.But to complete the necessary link, which will "stick" the droplet and come together.Often, this role is performed by the dust, smoke and salt.
Classification
the height of the arrangement depends, from which clouds are formed and how they will look.As a rule, white mass, which we are accustomed to seeing in the sky, appearing in the troposphere.Its upper boundary varies depending on geographic location.The closer to the equator area, the higher standard may form clouds.For example, over the area of the tropical troposphere boundary is located at an altitude of about 18 km, and the Arctic Circle - 10 km.
possible formation of clouds and at high altitudes, but they are currently poorly understood.For example, a pearl appear in the stratosphere, and silver - in the mesosphere.
tropospheric clouds are divided into types depending on the height at which they are located - at the top, middle or bottom tier of the troposphere.Air movement also has a great influence on the formation of clouds.In a quiet environment, formed cirrus and stratus clouds, but if the troposphere air masses are moving unevenly, increasing the likelihood of cumulus.
upper tier
This period covers the area of the sky at a height of more than 6 km long and up to the edge of the troposphere.Considering that temperature here does not rise above 0 degrees, it is easy to guess from which clouds are formed in the top tier.It may be just ice.
In appearance clouds, located here, divided into 3 kinds:
- Cirrus .They have a wavy structure and may appear as separate threads, bands or the whole ridge.
- Cirrocumulus consist of small pellets or flakes curls.
- Cirrostratus are translucent fabric likeness, "covering" the sky.Clouds of this type may be stretched to the sky, or occupy only a small portion.
height of clouds, is in the top tier, can vary greatly depending on various factors.It may be several hundred meters, and tens of kilometers.
middle and lower tier
Middle tier - it's part of the troposphere, located generally between 2 and 6 km.Here there Altocumulus clouds, which are bulky gray or white mass.They consist of water in the warmer months and, accordingly, ice cold.The second type of clouds - altostratus.They have a milky-gray color and are often completely covered the sky.Such clouds are in the form of rain or drizzle of fine snow, but rarely reaches the surface of the earth.
The lower tier is located directly above us the sky.Clouds, there may be 4 types:
- Stratocumulus as blocks or shafts of gray.May carry precipitation, except when the temperature is too low.
- Layered .Is below all others are gray.
- Nimbostratus. As can be understood from the name, are rainfall, and usually they have a Widespread character.This gray clouds that have no definite shape.
- Cumulus .Some of the most recognizable clouds.It looks as powerful pile and clubs with nearly flat base.Rainfall such clouds do not bring.
There is another type, is not included in the general list.It cumulonimbus clouds.They develop vertically and are present in each of the three tiers.These clouds bring heavy rains, thunderstorms and hail, so often referred to as storm or storm.
Lifetime clouds
For those who know, from which clouds are formed, can be interesting and the question of their lifespan.It plays an important level of humidity.It is a unique source of vitality for the clouds.If the air in the troposphere is dry enough, the cloud will not survive long.If the humidity is high, it can float longer in the air, until it becomes more powerful in order to produce precipitation.
Regarding the form of clouds, the time of her life quite small.Water particles tend to move constantly, evaporate and reappear.Therefore, the same shape of the cloud may not even survive for 5 minutes.
