Asked by Layne Rouse on Jun 28, 2024

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Which of the following is true about ice in precipitation?

A) Ice is not precipitation, only rain drops are.
B) Ice forms when temperatures in clouds are relatively warm, well above freezing.
C) Movement of water molecules between ice and raindrops can make raindrops larger.
D) All of these are true.

Water Molecules

Water molecules are made up of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom (H2O), the basic units of water, essential for all known forms of life.

Ice

A solid state of water that occurs when it freezes, found in natural environments on Earth's surface and elsewhere in the solar system.

Raindrops

Small droplets of water that fall from clouds in the atmosphere.

  • Outline the distinctions among various processes of precipitation and their associated conditions.
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Verified Answer

KJ
Karla JeniceJun 29, 2024
Final Answer :
C
Explanation :
Ice in precipitation plays a crucial role in the growth of raindrops through a process called the Bergeron process. This process involves the movement of water molecules from a supercooled water droplet to an ice crystal. This movement occurs because ice crystals can exist in clouds at temperatures below freezing, and the vapor pressure over ice is lower than over liquid water at the same temperature. As water vapor deposits onto the ice crystals, they grow larger, and the ice can eventually melt as it falls to a warmer layer, leading to larger raindrops. This contradicts the statements that ice is not precipitation and that ice forms at warm temperatures, making option C the correct choice.