Question

Bien 2012

Why is the moisture of cirrus clouds mostly in the solid state?

A The higher altitude allows for lower temperatures, leading to frozen water crystals.

B. The density of the clouds creates solidified crystals.

C. The low amount of wind allows the clouds to form water crystals.

D. The higher altitude and farther distance from Earth's surface mean there is less gravity to form ice crystals.

Answer 1

A The higher altitude allows for lower temperatures, leading to frozen water crystals.

Step-by-step explanation:

These clouds are a signal of good weather conditions. They characterize for being at very high altitudes, reflecting the direction of the wind, which moves them and constantly changes their shapes.

The higher they are, the lower the temperatures, son water vapor turns into crystals, which are moved by the wind in different directions.

Cloud formation occurs when humid air ascends and suffers adiabatic cooling, due to the high. As the air gets higher in altitude, it´s density and pressure decrease, so the air tends to expand with elevation in response to the reduced pressure. Gases in expansion experiment adiabatic cooling, losing caloric energy as their molecules move getting farther away from each other. As the air gets higher, it gets colder, and hence, denser.