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Chapter 3: Problem 3

Which of the following describes precipitation? A. Water rises up into the atmosphere as vapor. B. Water vapor in the air forms clouds. C. Trees drop their leaves in winter. D. Water falls from clouds as rain or snow.

Short Answer

Expert verified
Option D: Water falls from clouds as rain or snow.

Step by step solution

01

Understand the Term 'Precipitation'

Precipitation is a term used in meteorology to describe any form of water - liquid or solid - that falls from the atmosphere and reaches the ground. This includes rain, snow, sleet, and hail.
02

Evaluate Each Option

Carefully read each option to determine if it describes precipitation. Remember, precipitation involves water falling from the atmosphere to the ground.
03

Check Option A

Option A: 'Water rises up into the atmosphere as vapor.' This describes evaporation, not precipitation, so it is incorrect.
04

Check Option B

Option B: 'Water vapor in the air forms clouds.' This describes condensation, not precipitation, so it is incorrect.
05

Check Option C

Option C: 'Trees drop their leaves in winter.' This describes the process of trees shedding their leaves, not related to precipitation, so it is incorrect.
06

Check Option D

Option D: 'Water falls from clouds as rain or snow.' This accurately describes precipitation, as it involves water falling from clouds to the ground.
07

Conclusion

Based on the definitions and the evaluations of each option, Option D is the correct description of precipitation.

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Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

meteorology
Meteorology is the scientific study of the atmosphere. It focuses on understanding weather processes and predicting how certain atmospheric conditions will evolve. Meteorologists use various tools and techniques to observe and forecast the weather, including:

  • Weather Satellites
  • Barometers
  • Thermometers
  • Radar systems
  • Computer models

The goal is to provide accurate and timely weather forecasts. Besides helping us plan daily activities, it also contributes to safety and emergency response planning during extreme weather events like hurricanes or heavy snowfall.

Meteorology has many subfields, such as:
  • Climatology: The study of long-term weather patterns.
  • Atmology: The study of water vapor within the atmosphere.
  • Synoptic Meteorology: The study of large-scale weather systems.

Understanding meteorology helps in comprehending what precipitation is and why it happens.
water cycle
The water cycle, or hydrologic cycle, describes the continuous movement of water on, above, and below the surface of the Earth. It consists of several key processes:
  • Evaporation: Water from the Earth's surface turns into vapor and rises into the atmosphere.
  • Condensation: Water vapor cools down and forms clouds.
  • Precipitation: Water falls from clouds as rain, snow, sleet, or hail.
  • Runoff: Water flows over the ground and collects in rivers, lakes, and oceans.
  • Infiltration: Water soaks into the soil and replenishes groundwater.

The water cycle is vital for maintaining life on Earth. It distributes fresh water across the planet, supports ecosystems, and regulates climate.

Precipitation plays a crucial role in this cycle because it returns water from the atmosphere back to the Earth’s surface. This ensures that the water cycle remains balanced and supports various natural processes.
rain and snow
Rain and snow are common types of precipitation.

  • Rain: Occurs when water droplets in clouds become too heavy and fall to the ground. It is typically liquid at ground level unless temperatures are very low.
  • Snow: Forms in clouds where temperatures are below freezing. Ice crystals stick together and grow into snowflakes that fall to the ground.

Both rain and snow are crucial for replenishing fresh water supplies. They also directly impact agriculture, ecosystems, and human activities.

Different conditions result in various forms of precipitation. For instance, sleet occurs when raindrops freeze before hitting the ground, and hail forms in strong thunderstorms that have intense updrafts.

Understanding these processes helps in predicting weather patterns and making necessary preparations for different types of precipitation.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Which of the following is associated with the movement of two continents away from each other? A. the formation of hurricanes B. the formation of an ocean ridge C. the formation of fjords D. the formation of a V-shaped valley

The footprints left behind by the astronauts of Apollo will be visible for close to 10 million years because there is no ________________ on the moon to produce wind and rain.

Which of the following describes the formation of a \(U\) shaped valley? A. Erosion caused by slow-moving glaciers cut through the rocks in a river valley. B. Wind and rain erosion weathered rock down smoothly. C. River deposition built up in the center of a valley. D. Sea erosion caused by different wave strengths produced uneven shapes.

Which is NOT part of the carbon cycle? A. In the ocean uptake process, the oceans absorb carbon from the atmosphere. B. Carbon atoms enter the ground as dead organisms and animal waste products. C. Plants gather carbon dioxide from the soil where organic carbon is present in the form of manure and fertilizers. D. Animals consume plants and thus take in carbon atoms, which the animals release into the atmosphere through respiration.

What is the best evidence that seafloor spreading occurs at about the same rate on both sides of the ridge? A. The shape of South America is similar to the shape of Africa. B. The continents to the left of the ridge are about the same distance from the ridge as the continents to the right. C. The seafloor to the left of the ridge contains the same minerals as the seafloor to the right. D. The ridge is the same general shape as the shorelines on each side of it.
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