I thought it was because it was filled with water, but if water is clear, then that theory doesnt seem to make sense. Does anyone know why this is?
2006-09-09 09:16:23 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Weather
When we see "white" clouds, they are white because of light reflected from their underside. Some radient energy can penetrate these clouds and this helps us to see them as white.
When it is about to rain the clouds are obscured by clouds and lttle if any light is reflected from their underside and little penetrates the clouds - because of their thickness. No light, reflected or comming through, dark.
2006-09-09 19:11:45 · answer #1 · answered by jemhasb 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As the clouds build to high altitudes the water vapor forms into ice crystals. The clouds can be several thousand feet in height and the density of the crystals blocks much of the light from passing through. I believe that is why the clouds get increasingly darker.
2006-09-09 16:24:59 · answer #2 · answered by mot77777 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Normal fluffy cumulus clouds are only a couple thousand feet thick or less. Light from the sun can easily pass through them making them look a beautiful white. Now, Cumulonimbus (CB) or Cumulonimbus Mammatus are very, very thick. Their base is usually at 2000 feet and their tops can go as high as 60,000 feet. Generally the higher the Cb's tops go the more violent the storm. The tops are in the jet stream when they get that high.
Anyways. Cb's are so thick that the light from the sun is blocked by the mass and density of the cloud. Learn how to avoid getting hit by lightning.
2006-09-11 01:08:30 · answer #3 · answered by Radioactive1 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Water is fairly clear - a bit blue maybe. But it does scatter light. If there is enough cloud it scatters the light enough it does not make it through the cloud. This is the case in a big rain cloud. In effect the cloud is in it's own shadow and looks dark.
2006-09-12 14:27:03 · answer #4 · answered by Dome Slug 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When more water accumalate, they start to block out light. Also, as clouds 'grow',they rise because water reaches the freezing level and becomes ice.The ice diffuses light away too.
2006-09-10 03:04:56 · answer #5 · answered by Kixx 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I was taught in school when I was a kid that the clouds are full of negative and possitive charges and it's like they are fighting. When there are more negative ones than possitive ones they clash and the condensation errupts, and so forth. I am 65 years old and maybe I'm not remembering it all straight.
2006-09-09 19:20:44 · answer #6 · answered by Terry B 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the water i think
2006-09-10 01:22:55 · answer #7 · answered by NewYorker 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋