Page 189 - (DK) I Can’t Believe It! 2
P. 189

A typical cumulus cloud
                                                  contains 35 billion cu ft
                                                  (1 billion m ) of water
                                                         3
                                                  vapor, which weighs
                                                  1.1 million lb (half
                                                  a billion grams).














                                                         FAST FACTS
                                                       A cumulus cloud is a pocket of
                                                       rising warm air containing water
                                                       vapor. It expands and cools while
                                                       gaining height in the sky. When the
                                                       temperature cools to the dew point
                                   Cumulus means       (when dew forms), it condenses into
                                   “heap” in Latin and   water droplets, forming a cloud.
                                   refers to the cloud’s
                                   resemblance to a pile
                                   of cotton balls.
                                                                   Cloud
                                                        Sun
                                                                          Cooling,
                                                                          rising air
                                                                          pocket
                                                               Heat
                                                                       Rising warm
                                                                       air pocket

                                                                       Warm air
                                                                       and moisture
                                                                       above ground
                                                                   Warm
                                                                   ground




   US_186-187_309600_Heavy_Cloud.indd   187                               19/12/17   2:37 pm
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