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Difficulty: EasyWater Cycle and Oceanography

During the water cycle, water vapor in the atmosphere cools and transforms from a gas into tiny liquid droplets that collect to form clouds. Which process does this describe?

  1. A
    Evaporation
  2. B
    Transpiration
  3. CondensationAnswer
  4. D
    Precipitation

Answer

Condensation is the process where water vapor cools and transforms from a gas into liquid water droplets to form clouds.
Condensation is the phase transition in which gaseous water vapor loses thermal energy, cools, and changes into liquid water droplets that coalesce to form clouds.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the initial and final states of matter described in the process.
Water is cooling and transitioning from a gaseous state (water vapor) into a liquid state (water droplets).
Classifying the specific physical phase change is necessary to identify the corresponding scientific term.
2
Match the phase change from gas to liquid upon cooling to its hydrologic definition.
Gas cooling into liquid is defined as condensation.
Condensation in the upper atmosphere is the primary mechanism responsible for cloud formation.

Key Concept

Hydrologic cycle phase transitions: condensation transforms gaseous water vapor into liquid water.
Estimated Time:45s
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Topics

Water Cycle and Oceanography

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