ENVIRSC 1C03 Study Guide - Final Guide: Buoyancy, Cumulonimbus Cloud, Radiative Cooling

• School: McMaster University
• Department: Environmental Science
• Course: ENVIRSC 1C03
• Professor: Luc Bernier

Document Summary

Module 7: atmospheric moisture humidity amount of water vapour in air humidity = water vapour only! Cloud droplets form by collision & bonding of water vapour molecules. Formation of droplets which would lead to clouds would occur under supersaturation. Their small size requires a catalyst called a condensation nuclei a hygroscopic surface on which water vapour can condense. Orographic uplift when a mass of air is deflected over and/or around terrain (hill/mountain), this upward movement of air results in adiabatic cooling. Rain shadow as air compresses down terrain descent & little to no precipitation results. Convergence occurs when theres a horizontal movement of air into a region, when air converges its forced to rise. Surface air converges towards low pressure, forcing air to rise. Frontal lifting occurs when 2 air masses converge at the front. Cold front when cold air advances towards warm air. Warm front warm air advances towards cold air.