A cloud is a visible mass of condensed droplets or frozen crystals suspended in the atmosphere above the surface of the Earth or another planetary body. The branch of meteorology in which clouds are studied is nephology.
On Earth, the condensing substance is water vapor, which forms small droplets of water (typically 0.01 mm of ice crystals) that, when surrounded with billions of other droplets or crystals, are visible as clouds. Dense deep clouds exhibit a high reflectance (70 to 95%) throughout the visible range of wavelengths: they thus appear white, at least from the top. Cloud droplets tend to scatter light very efficiently, so that the intensity of the solar radiation decreases with depth into the cloud, hence the grey or even sometimes dark appearance of the clouds at their base. Thin clouds may appear to have acquired the color of their environment or background, and clouds illuminated by non-white light, such as during sunrise or sunset, may be colored accordingly. In the near-infrared range, however, clouds would appear very dark because the water that constitutes the cloud droplets strongly absorb solar radiation at these wavelengths.
2006-09-17 06:03:11
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answer #1
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answered by Smokey 5
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On Earth, the condensing substance is water vapor, which forms small droplets of water (typically 0.01 mm of ice crystals) that, when surrounded with billions of other droplets or crystals, are visible as clouds. Dense deep clouds exhibit a high reflectance (70 to 95%) throughout the visible range of wavelengths: they thus appear white, at least from the top. Cloud droplets tend to scatter light very efficiently, so that the intensity of the solar radiation decreases with depth into the cloud, hence the grey or even sometimes dark appearance of the clouds at their base. Thin clouds may appear to have acquired the color of their environment or background, and clouds illuminated by non-white light, such as during sunrise or sunset, may be colored accordingly. In the near-infrared range, however, clouds would appear very dark because the water that constitutes the cloud droplets strongly absorb solar radiation at these wavelengths.
2016-12-25 00:54:02
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answer #2
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answered by ? 2
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How high the clouds are depend on what type of cloud you mean.
Stratus clouds can be seen at 100 meters (300 ft) altitude, while cirrus clouds can be as high as 12000 meters (35000 ft). As you may know, commercial airliners usually cruise at an altitude of about 10000 meters (33000 ft).
Unfortunately you can't stand on a cloud (but it would have been really cool if you could!). Clouds consist of very small water droplets that are floating in the air thanks to vertical winds (updraft). Those updrafts are definitely not strong enough to keep a person floating on the clouds.
2006-09-17 22:07:28
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answer #3
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answered by Barret 3
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Clouds are a result of condensation process. All clouds are not the same. Clouds continuously change as they drift across the sky. It is interesting to note that every type of cloud has got a descriptive name. The credit goes to a London Pharmacist Luke Howard who introduced the names of three basic groups. Various combinations of these basic terms were used to name the different clouds.
High clouds or the clouds above 20,000 feet are made of ice crystals while low clouds or the clouds below 7000 feet are made of water droplets. Middle clouds or those between 7000-20,000 feet can be made of both water droplets and ice crystals.
The three basic classifications are cirrus, cumulus and stratus. Cirrus clouds are high clouds composed mainly of ice crystals forming thin, transparent veils across the sky. They generally mean pleasant weather. The puffed up cottony clouds that resembles a heap are cumulus. Cumulus clouds are the low or middle clouds. Stratus refers to the low clouds in sheets or layers spread out.
There are two other words ‘alto’ (meaning high) and ‘nimbus’ referring to clouds which bring rain are also used along with the basic classification and give about 10 types of clouds. For instance, altocumulus clouds are patches of small puffed up middle clouds. Similarly Nimbostratus clouds are low clouds that are dark, gloomy rain clouds and bring about light to moderate rainfall. Cirrostratus form thin, wispy layer high in the sky. They are so thin that sun and moon can be seen through them. When cumulus clouds continue to grow vertically they form cumulonimbus clouds which bring thunderstorms. Thus, identification of the types of clouds helps in forecasting rain and thunderstorms.
2014-10-03 23:52:19
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answer #4
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answered by Anonymous
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There are many types of Clouds.
Go to this site and you will discover the vastness of clouds
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clouds
1 Cloud formation and properties
1.1 "Hot Ice" and "Ice Memory" in cloud formation
2 Cloud classification
2.1 High clouds (Family A)
2.2 Middle clouds (Family B)
2.3 Low clouds (Family C)
2.4 Vertical clouds (Family D)
2006-09-17 06:17:29
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answer #5
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answered by mysticideas 6
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They are called "noctilucent" and are about 50 miles above the surface of the Earth.
It's not possible to stand on any cloud because they are nothing more than fog at high levels.
2006-09-17 07:20:36
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answer #6
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answered by Anonymous
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WELL IT WOULD BE MILES B/C THE CLOUDS R IN OUR ATMOSPHERE AND NO IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO STAND ON A CLOUD THEY R NOT A SOLID MASS OBJECT
2006-09-17 06:27:41
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answer #7
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answered by HoTtIe_WiTh_a_BoDy 2
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of course NOT... clouds are just water vapors which are put together. and water vapor is in gas state... so tell me how could you stand in a gas???
it's better to fly than stand in a cloud and fall like a ball....c;
2006-09-21 03:00:55
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answer #8
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answered by patchie 1
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Try following clouds:
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2013-11-13 03:11:35
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answer #9
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answered by SHAIN S 2
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dunno how high but no you can't stand on a cloud that is only for movies and cartoons do you float when it gets foggy??? fog is just a cloud that got to heavy and sank a cloud is just a bunch of water droplets so again i will say no that is unless your 'jesus'
2006-09-17 06:03:59
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answer #10
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answered by *CiTsJuStMe* 4
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