QUESTION 1
What kind of cloud are thunderstorms? Cumulonimbus Stratonimbus Cirrus Altocumulus
QUESTION 2
When rain partially evaporates in the unsaturated air beneath a thunderstorm, what happens to that air? The air cools and rises into the thunderstorm The air is warmed and rises back into the thunderstorm The air warms and collects on the ground That air is cooled and sinks to the surface
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
Question 1: What kind of cloud are thunderstorms?
Answer: Cumulonimbus
Explanation:
Thunderstorms are typically associated with cumulonimbus clouds. These clouds are towering vertical structures that form in areas of strong convection. The process of convection occurs when warm air rises, cools, and condenses into clouds. Cumulonimbus clouds are capable of reaching the upper layers of the atmosphere, sometimes extending up to the stratosphere, and are known for their dense, towering formation. These clouds can bring severe weather, including heavy rain, lightning, hail, and tornadoes.
Cumulonimbus clouds are massive and have a distinctive anvil-shaped top at the highest point, which is often a result of the cloud encountering the stable layers of the atmosphere. The presence of a cumulonimbus cloud is the hallmark of a thunderstorm, as the cloud contains the energy needed to produce lightning and other associated weather phenomena.
Question 2: When rain partially evaporates in the unsaturated air beneath a thunderstorm, what happens to that air?
Answer: The air is cooled and sinks to the surface.
Explanation:
When rain falls from a thunderstorm and passes through the unsaturated air beneath it, the rain can evaporate due to the drier conditions. As this rain evaporates, it causes the surrounding air to cool. This cooling occurs because the process of evaporation requires energy, which is taken from the surrounding air, making it colder. The now-cooled air becomes denser than the surrounding air, causing it to sink towards the Earth’s surface. This process is known as evaporative cooling.
As the air sinks, it can contribute to the development of a downdraft in the thunderstorm. The downdraft is the descending column of air that moves downward through the thunderstorm and spreads out at the surface, often causing gusty winds. This cold, sinking air can be dangerous, as it may lead to phenomena such as microbursts, which are sudden, powerful downward winds that can cause damage.
The sinking of cooled air is a crucial aspect of thunderstorm dynamics, as it helps to drive the updrafts that form the storm and maintain the cycle of convection. The interaction between the warm rising air and the cooler sinking air within the storm can produce the violent weather associated with thunderstorms, including strong winds, hail, and intense rainfall.