Final answer:
Air masses form where the air stays in one place for a while due to factors such as high or low-pressure systems and geography. The interaction between air, land, and water influences the formation and distribution of different weather patterns.
Step-by-step explanation:
Air masses form where the air stays in one place for a while due to various factors. One of the factors is the presence of high or low-pressure systems in the atmosphere. Low-pressure systems occur when the surface atmospheric pressure is lower than the surrounding environment, causing the moist air to rise and condense, producing clouds.
Additionally, the geography and topography of a region can influence the formation of air masses. For example, when moist air from the ocean rises up over a mountain range, it cools and its water vapor condenses, leading to precipitation on the windward side of the mountain range. On the leeward side, there is often less precipitation, creating a 'rain shadow.'
Overall, the movement of air masses and the interaction between air, land, and water play a crucial role in the formation and distribution of different weather patterns.