Question 1 0.34 pts What is the lifting condensation level? It is the rate of temperature decrease as a parcel of dry (unsaturated air) rises It is amount of condensation that occurs when an air parcel rises. It is process of condensation that occurs when an air parcel rises. The elevation where the relative humidity reaches 100% (the dewpoint). It marks the base of cumulus clouds, indicating the elevation where the adiabatic lapse rate shifts from the dry to the wet rate. Question 2 0.34pts What are the characteristics of a tornado? All of the other answers are correct, and thus this is the best answer. Very high winds speeds, often more than 200 miles per hour. A localized intense spiraling vortex of winds, usually less than 500 meters in diameter Comes from a supercell thunderstorm with a twisty and unpredictable path that lasts from minutes to a few hours. Question 3 0.34pts What causes thunder? Downburst of a thunderstorm causing so much friction that static electricity jumps from cloud to ground generating the thunder boom. Thor High adiabatic lapse rates. The heat of lightning causes air to expand suddenly. How can lightning move? From cloud to ground From cloud to air From cloud to cloud All of the other answers are correct, and thus this is the best Question 5 How long does a typical cumulonimbus thunderstorm cell last? About 30 minutes About 6 hours About two or three days About a half a day
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Here are the correct answers to each question, followed by a 300-word explanation:
Correct Answers:
- The elevation where the relative humidity reaches 100% (the dewpoint). It marks the base of cumulus clouds, indicating the elevation where the adiabatic lapse rate shifts from the dry to the wet rate.
- All of the other answers are correct, and thus this is the best answer.
- The heat of lightning causes air to expand suddenly.
- All of the other answers are correct, and thus this is the best.
- About 30 minutes
Explanation
The Lifting Condensation Level (LCL) is the height at which rising air cools to its dew point, causing condensation and cloud formation. It marks the transition point where dry adiabatic cooling switches to moist adiabatic cooling. This is crucial in weather forecasting, especially for identifying the base of cumulus clouds and the potential for storm development.
Tornadoes are intense, rotating columns of air that extend from the base of a thunderstorm to the ground. They often form from supercell thunderstorms, which have a rotating updraft called a mesocyclone. Tornadoes are typically narrow (less than 500 meters in width), short-lived (minutes to a few hours), and capable of producing extremely high wind speeds exceeding 200 mph. The correct answer acknowledges all these traits.
Thunder is caused by the rapid expansion of air due to the extreme heat from lightning (which can heat the air up to 30,000°C). This sudden expansion creates a shock wave that we hear as thunder. This distinguishes it from other atmospheric sounds or mechanisms like downbursts or friction.
Lightning can travel in multiple ways: from cloud to ground, cloud to cloud, and cloud to air. All these types are natural discharge paths for balancing electrical differences in the atmosphere, making the comprehensive option the most accurate.
Lastly, a typical cumulonimbus thunderstorm cell lasts about 30 minutes. These storms go through three stages: cumulus (updrafts dominate), mature (heavy rain and thunder/lightning), and dissipating (downdrafts dominate). While some storms may last longer due to atmospheric conditions or storm organization, the typical single-cell storm life cycle is short, around half an hour.
