Answer: The reason for the buildup of energy in a cumulonimbus cloud during thunderstorm formation is primarily due to option 3) The cloud gains energy from the movement of air currents.
Step-by-step explanation:
Cumulonimbus clouds are towering and vertically developed clouds that form in unstable atmospheric conditions, typically associated with thunderstorms. The buildup of energy within these clouds occurs through a series of processes:
1) Convection: As the sun heats the Earth's surface, warm air near the surface rises due to convection. This upward movement of warm air creates updrafts, which are currents of air moving vertically within the cloud.
2) Moisture and Condensation: As the warm air rises, it carries moisture and water vapor with it. As the air ascends and cools with increasing altitude, the water vapor within the cloud condenses into water droplets. This process, known as condensation, releases latent heat energy, further fueling the updrafts.
3) Collisions and Coalescence: Within the cloud, water droplets collide and coalesce, forming larger and heavier droplets. This process releases additional energy in the form of heat.
4) Ice Crystal Formation: As the cloud reaches higher altitudes where temperatures are below freezing, some of the water droplets freeze, forming ice crystals. This phase change from liquid to solid also releases energy in the form of heat.
5) Separation of Charges: The movement of ice crystals and water droplets within the cloud leads to the separation of positive and negative charges. This charge separation results in the buildup of electrical potential energy within the cloud.
6) Lightning and Thunder: When the electrical potential energy within the cloud becomes strong enough, it is discharged through a lightning bolt. This discharge releases an immense amount of energy in the form of light and heat, resulting in lightning and the associated sound waves known as thunder.
In summary, the buildup of energy in a cumulonimbus cloud during thunderstorm formation primarily occurs due to the movement of air currents, specifically the convection-driven updrafts.
The condensation of water vapor, collisions and coalescence of water droplets, ice crystal formation, and the separation of charges further contribute to the energy buildup. The eventual release of this energy through lightning and thunder signifies the culmination of the thunderstorm.