Question

When a cloud droplet is said to be in equilibrium with its environment, it means?

1) Updrafts of air exactly counteract gravity, so the water droplet stays suspended.
2) The water droplet absorbs water vapor molecules at the same rate that they are evaporating from its surface, so it stays the same size.
3) The water droplet's temperature is the same as that of the air surrounding it.
4) The water droplet is the same size as the other water droplets surrounding it in the cloud.

Answer 1

A cloud droplet in equilibrium with its environment absorbs and evaporates water vapor at equal rates, maintaining its size. Relative humidity and temperature are critical factors affecting this equilibrium, influencing cloud behavior and precipitation.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a cloud droplet is said to be in equilibrium with its environment, it means that the water droplet absorbs water vapor molecules at the same rate that they evaporate from its surface, so it stays the same size. This state of equilibrium is crucial for understanding how clouds behave and why they do not always produce precipitation immediately. The relative humidity and temperature in the surrounding environment influence this equilibrium, emphasizing the importance of these factors in meteorology.

Relative humidity plays a significant role, especially when it approaches 100% in conditions such as the dew point, where condensation can occur, leading to fog if the droplets remain in suspension. Contrastingly, at lower humidity levels or higher temperatures, evaporation tends to occur more quickly. This delicate balance between evaporation and condensation is one of the fascinating aspects of cloud dynamics that affects weather patterns.