Final answer:
Cumulus clouds form as a result of convection where water vapor rises, condensing and releasing heat, creating thunderheads that can rise as high as 20km into the stratosphere. This process is driven by positive feedback and can result in violent storms and hurricanes.
Step-by-step explanation:
Cumulus clouds form as a result of water vapor rising due to convection. When water evaporates from the oceans, heat is removed from the ocean. If the water vapor condenses in liquid droplets as clouds form, heat is released in the atmosphere.
This transfer of heat from the ocean to the atmosphere creates thunderheads, which are large cumulus clouds that can rise as high as 20.0 km into the stratosphere. Water vapor carried in by convection condenses, releasing tremendous amounts of energy, causing the air to rise to colder altitudes.
More condensation occurs in these colder regions, driving the cloud even higher. This process, known as positive feedback, reinforces and accelerates itself, sometimes leading to the formation of violent storms with lightning and hail, and even hurricanes.