Final answer:
The boundary between warm and cold air masses, known as a front, typically slopes from the warm air to the cold air, with warm air rising over the cold air.
Step-by-step explanation:
The boundary between warm and cold air masses, known as a front, typically slopes in the direction from the warm air to the cold air. This means that the warm air rises over the cold air. The front slopes upward because warm air is less dense and thus tends to rise above the cold air, which is denser. Regarding the slope's steepness, if the warm air is advancing and rising rapidly, the slope is steeper and the front is considered a warm front. Conversely, if cold air is pushing into warm air, the slope is more gentle and represents a cold front. Understanding the slope of air masses is essential for predicting weather patterns and the type of weather associated with these fronts. A steeper slope is often associated with more intense weather conditions, such as heavy rain or snow, because the air rises rapidly, leading to quick condensation and precipitation. On the other hand, fronts with a gentler slope tend to produce lighter precipitation and milder weather changes.