Conclusion
Hopefully, by the conclusion of this lesson, you will be able to successfully identify the three types of clouds and broaden your understanding of your surroundings and the importance of science.
Now when you go outside and look at the clouds you will be able to identify them!
Types of Clouds:Stratus clouds: are uniform grayish clouds that often cover the entire sky. They resemble fog that does not reach the ground. Usually no precipitation falls from stratus clouds, but sometimes they may drizzle. When a thick fog "lifts," the resulting clouds are low stratus.
Cirrus clouds: are thin, wispy clouds blown by high winds into long streamers. They are considered "high clouds" forming above 6000 m (20,000 ft). Cirrus clouds usually move across the sky from west to east. They generally mean fair to pleasant weather.
Cumulus clouds: are puffy clouds that sometimes look like pieces of floating cotton. The base of each cloud is often flat and may be only 1000 m (330 ft) above the ground. The top of the cloud has rounded towers. When the top of the cumulus resembles the head of a cauliflower, it is called cumulus congestus or towering cumulus. These clouds grow upward, and they can develop into a giant cumulonimbus, which is a thunderstorm cloud.
Challenge
What do you think happens inside a cloud to get precipitation (droplets) to fall to the Earth in the form of rain, snow or even hail?
What do you think are the conditions that ultimately determine which form of precipitation finally reaches the surface of the Earth.
You might want to discuss this with your teacher or to do some further research.
Have the learner select one or more of these questions to research and prepare a written report.
Hopefully, by the conclusion of this lesson, you will be able to successfully identify the three types of clouds and broaden your understanding of your surroundings and the importance of science.
Now when you go outside and look at the clouds you will be able to identify them!
Types of Clouds:Stratus clouds: are uniform grayish clouds that often cover the entire sky. They resemble fog that does not reach the ground. Usually no precipitation falls from stratus clouds, but sometimes they may drizzle. When a thick fog "lifts," the resulting clouds are low stratus.
Cirrus clouds: are thin, wispy clouds blown by high winds into long streamers. They are considered "high clouds" forming above 6000 m (20,000 ft). Cirrus clouds usually move across the sky from west to east. They generally mean fair to pleasant weather.
Cumulus clouds: are puffy clouds that sometimes look like pieces of floating cotton. The base of each cloud is often flat and may be only 1000 m (330 ft) above the ground. The top of the cloud has rounded towers. When the top of the cumulus resembles the head of a cauliflower, it is called cumulus congestus or towering cumulus. These clouds grow upward, and they can develop into a giant cumulonimbus, which is a thunderstorm cloud.
Challenge
What do you think happens inside a cloud to get precipitation (droplets) to fall to the Earth in the form of rain, snow or even hail?
What do you think are the conditions that ultimately determine which form of precipitation finally reaches the surface of the Earth.
You might want to discuss this with your teacher or to do some further research.
Have the learner select one or more of these questions to research and prepare a written report.