Clouds Lesson

Clouds form when water vapor in the air condenses

Molecules of water vapor in the air become liquid water in a process called condensation.

As air cools, the amount of water vapor it can hold decreases.

The water vapor condenses into tiny droplets of water or ice crystals.

If the dew point is above freezing, the water vapor forms droplets.

If the dew point is below freezing, the water vapor may change directly into ice crystals.

for water vapor to condense and form clouds, tiny particles must be present in the atmosphere to condense.

These particles include salt crystals, dust from smoke, or smoke