Humidity

[Link]

L Short Answer Questions.

Question 1.
Define the following terms :

(a) Precipitation
(b) Evaporation
(c) Condensation
(cf) Humidity
(e) Latent heat.

Answer:

(a) Precipitation - It is process by which condensation in different forms falling on the

ground e.g. rainfall, snowfall. drizzle. sleet and hail etc.
(b) Evaporation- It is the process of converting water into water droplets and vapou-.
(c) Condensation- It is the process of converting the water- droplets into water.
(cf) Humidity - It is the amount of moisture present in the atmospheric air.
(e) Latent heat - It is the unseen heat absomed by the atmospheric air to form vapour
after reaching boiling point of1oo·c of water.

Question 2.
What determines the amount of water vapcu in the air?
Answer.
The amount of water vapou- or huJTidity is dependent on the temperature conditions,
because the capacity of air to hold moistu-e changes according to the te"l)erature, e.g.,
in higher temperature the water vapol.W' amount may increase and in low temperature it
may decrease.

Question 3.
How is relative humidity d'.etermined ?
Answer:
Relative humidity is the percemaqe of water vapour with respect to the amount of air at
a particular temperature.
. . . . . _ Actual amount x 100
Relabve Humufity (RH) - Water holding capacity
Question 4.
ion.
Name four chief forms or condensat
An sw er:
chi ef forms or condensation are clo uds, fog. mist and dew droplets.
Four

Ques tio n 5.
itation .
Mention the different forms or precip
An sw er:
itation are rainfall, drizzling, hailstones, snowfall and sleet etc.
Different forms or precip

Qu estion 6.
nsation nuclei' ?
Wh at do you understand by 'conde
An swer: isture is
nsa tion nuc lei - Co ndensa tion nudei is the base around which mo the
Conde
conver ts into a drop or wa ter, e.g. the dust particles presen in
t
gathered and
densation form .
atmosphere make the base of con

Question 7.
State the three types of rainfall.
An sw er:
ascends
Re lie f Rainfall - It occurs from
the cooling or warm moist air which
• n or the prevailinQ winds.
the directio
above the mountain barrier lyin!'.j in urs when warm and cold air masses confront
Cy clo nic or Fro nta l Rainfall -
It occ
•
gen era lly climbs above the colder air.
each other, the warmer air causes
Co nv ect ion al Rainfall - Ascen
ding currents or hot and humid air
•
ng in heavy rainfall.
condensation or the ctouds, resulti

Ques tio n 8 .
What is cyclonic rainfall ?
regions
An sw er:
rain fall is pro vid ed by the cyc lon es created in tropical and temperate
Cyclonic the warm air is
the air ma ss fron ts, wh ere wa rm and cold air meet together and provide
along
the cold air res ulllng in circ ular wind systems. The tropical cyclones
encircled by or drizzlinQ for
rainfall for a few day s, bu t tem perate cyclones provide liQht rainfall
heavy
a long period.

Ques tio n 9 .
n?
How does latitude affect evaporatio
An sw er:
t in the tropical belt due to continuous vertical rays or the sun,
Evaporation Is hig hes takes place
tem perate bel t les s eva por ation and In polar belt least evaporation
while in
due to less lnsolation.
Ques tion 1o.
Why is evaporation maximum in tropical deserts surrounded by seas ?
Answer:
In tropical deserts, surrounded by seas, evaporation is maximum because of high
temperatures and clear skies.

Question 11 .
State the factors favouring evaporation.
Answer:
The conditions favourable for evaporation are high temperature and large amount of
water of ocean, rainfall water etc.

Question 12.
What is the instrument used for measuring humidity?
Answer:
Hygrometer or Dry and Wet Bulb Thermometer is used to measure humidity.

Question 13.
State the process of clouds formation. Name the types of clouds.
Answer:
When the water vapour converts into the water droplets noating in the air, the clouds are
formed. Main types of clouds are Cirrus, Cumulus, Altus and Stratus.

Question 14.
Name the regions which receive rainfall only in summer.
Answer:
The continental interiors in the sub-tropical rejlions qet rainfall only in summer, e.Q.
Mangolia, Tibet etc.

Question 15.
Name two regions of heavy rainfall.
Answer:
Equa:torial region and monsoon tropical region get highest rainfall. Highest rainfall is
recorded in Cherrapunji and Mawsynram (1080 cm) in the world.

Question 16.
Describe the three chief ways in which condensation occurs.
Answer:
Three chief ways to assist condensation are :

1. High amount of moisture present in atmosphere.

2. The elements providin!l the nuclei for it should be present in atmosphere, e.!'.j..
dust particles, salt and smoke etc.
 3. The air should be saturated i.e. the relative humidity must be 100% to create dew
point or the temperature should be below dew point.

II. Give reasons for each of the following

Question 1.
In Equatorial regions the sky often remains overcast with clouds.
Answer:
Due to excessive heat the evaporation takes place in fast speed, and in every afternoon
rainfall occurs after heavy cloud formation by convection process. So the sky mostly
remains overcast with clouds.

Question 2.
Huma111 comfort depends on humidity.
Answer:
Huma111 efficiency is best at 40% relative humidity. More or less humidity creates
uneasiness of humidity and dryness.

Question 3.
Condensation is the reverse process of evaporation.
Answer:
Condensation takes place upto the dew-point comes, but after it precipitation starts due
to water-droplets converted into water drops. So, condensation and precipitation are
different processes occurring in different conditions and temperature episodes.

Question 4.
Coasts receive more rainfall than the interior of the continents.
Answer:
Moisture-laiden winds provide more rainfall to the coastal parts due to being situated by
the coast and receiving the rain bearing winds. but the interior get negligible rainfall due
to being the almost dry winds without moisture.

Question 5.
The windward sides of mountains receive more rainfall than the leeward sides.
Answer:
The windward sides of mountainous slopes get ample rainfall by striking with the rain
bearing winds first. while the leeward sides cannot get sufficient rainfall due to being on
other side where the winds become almost dry due to imparting rainfall in windward due
to loss of major part of moisture and water drops.
m. Match the following
A B
1. Satuntion (a) Amount of water vapour in the
atmosphere.
2. Humidity (b) It determines the capacity of air to
hold water vapour. '
3. High clouds (c) Less intense rainfall
4. [Link] (d) Cirrus.
Answer:
A B
1. Saturation (b) It detennines the capacity of air to
hold water vapour.
2. Humidity (a) Amount of water vapour in

3. High clouds
4. Imzle
atmosphere.
(d)Cirrus
C Less intense rainfall
G
IV. Long Answer Questions.

Question 1.
Distinguish between Absolute Humidity and Relative Humidity.
Answer:
Absolute Humidity :

1. It is the measure of the actual amount of water vapour In the air. regardless of
temperature.
2. It is expressed as grams of moisture per cubic meter of air(g/m3).
3. The higher the amount of water vapour. the higher is the absolute humidity.
4. In weather calculations. absolute humidity is generally not taken into account.

Relative Humidity:

1. It measures water vapour in air but relative to the maximum vapour that the ,air
can hold at that temperature.
 alue) between the absolute humidity of a
2. It is expressed as the ratio (p~centage v t of water vapour that it can hold at the
Qiven mass of air and the maximum amoun
same temperature. than cold air. so with the same amount of
3. warm air poss~sse~ m~lrleh::~e~ ~frFer~nt relative humidity depending on
absolute humidity, air WI
temperature. . . . f weather forecasts, which indicates the likelihood
4. It is the essentJal characteristic o
of precipitation, dew or fog•

Question 2. J II · •
With reference to condensation, define the o owing .

(a) Process or condensation. .

(b) Atmospheric conditi~ns that favour condensation.
(c) Forms or Condensation.

Answer:

(a) condensation is the reverse process of evaporation. In condensati?n, water vapour

in the [Link] get converted into water droplets or ice. Condensation takes place
when water vapour is added to saturated air or when the temperature falls below the
temperature at which air become saturated. .
(b) The [Link] conditions that favour condensation are :

1. There should be a hiQh amount of water vapour present in atmosp~ere. .

2. Minuscule particles of dust. salt and even smoke act as condensation nucle1.
3. The temperature or air must be below dew point temperature so as to encourage
condensation.

(c) Forms of condensation : Following are the forms of the

• condensation : Dew, frost, fog, mist, white frost and clouds. The clouds are
formed when the temperature falls down below dew points, while dew, fog and
clouds are formed when the temperature remains higher than the freezing point.
• Clouds : Clouds are formed when minute droplets of water vapour condense on a
nuclei and remain suspended in air.
• Dew : When water vapour condenses on the surface, it forms tiny droplets of
water called dew. Dew commonly occurs during winter on account of cooling of air
below dew point.
• Frost : In very low temperature, when condensation occurs at zero metre or
ground level, water vapour freezes into minute crystals of rice on objects near the
ground such as blades of grass, leaves and tiny rock particles. Frost is harmful to
plants.
 • Fog and Mist: Fog1and Mist are two related terms. Droplets of water suspended
in the atmosphere close to the surface of the earth are termed as fQ!:I. On lonQ
winter nights, the ground cools more rapidly than the air above. Such cooling
reduces temperature at the surface to below dew point. Water vapour al lower
levels get condensed around minute solid particles to form fog.

PQ. Describe the process of evaporation together with factors that favour it.
Answer:
For evaporation excessive heat and presence of water bodies is essential. Nearly 600
calories of heat is required to change water into water vapour. Evaporation is maxiimum
in tropical bell and mainly in hot desert region surrounded by water bodies. In the
equatorial belt due to overcast with clouds, evaporation is comparatively less due to
obstacles of cloud in heating process.

Question 3.
Name the three types »of rainfall. With the help of a diaQram describe each type of
rainfall.
Answer:

1. Convectional rainfall : It occurs in the Equatorial regions. The high temperature

leads to the rapid healing of air. Such heated air rises in convectional currents,
leading to development of clouds at about 10 km height. Ascending currents of hot

.......
and humid air causes condensation of the clouds, resulting in heavy rainfall .

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Con,vectional rainfall
2. Relief Rainfall : Relief rainfall is also known as Orographic Rainfall. It occurs from
the cooling of warm moist air which ascends above the mountain barrier lying in
the direction of the prevailing winds. The presence of mountains causes humid jair
to rise. The sudden ascent causes cooling of air, leading to condensation and
 precipitation.

Orographic or Relief rainfall

3. Cyclonic Rainfall : This type of rainfall is due to cyclones and depressions. Whe1
warm and cold air masses confront each other, the warmer air ~enerally climbs
above the colder. The rising air is cooled while undergoing a frontal lift. This
causes precipitation.

Wannait

Cyclonic or frontal ra1nlall

Question 4.
Define precipitation. Write short notes on three rorms or precipitation.
Answer:
The process by which products or condensation, viz water droplets, ice crystals. sleet.
etc., fall to Qround is known as precipitation. Rainfall, snowfall, drizzle, sleet and hail are
the chief forms or precipitation. Precipitation takes place only when they particles of
water join together to form large sized particles which become too heavy to remain in
suspension in the cloud.
 1. Aain : l t is the most co m1
mon form of precipitation.. Raindrops of smaller size and
1
1

!less intensity are known as drizzle.

2. Dew : When [Link] vapour condenses 0 n the·surface, it forms tiny droplets of
1
1 1

water ,called dew~Dew commonly occurs during wiinter on accoun.·t of oooling of air
below de,w point
3. Frost::In very low temperature, when condensation occurs at zero metre llf"
ground level, water vapour f:reezes into minute crystalls of ice on objects near the
ground such as blades of grass, leaves and tiny rock particlies. Frost is, harmful to
1

rplants.

Question 6.
Make a brief survey of lhe 1NOrld distrilbutJion o'f' rainfall .
Answer!
Equatorials and coastal areas of· monsoon countr:ies get maximum rainfall, more than
1 1

200 cmr sub-tropical areas gel moderate rai:nfalll 100-200 cm, and the least. rainfall
areas are Hot. and cold deserts getting nearly 25 c.m.