2007-08-21 15:54:53 · 5 answers · asked by Jenny R 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Zoology
Because unlike an elephant, a cloud's weight is spread out over a very large area. Plus, the cloud's droplets and crystals are very small--about one micron, or one-hundred-thousandth of an inch across. A cloud's individual particles are so small, in fact, that warm air rising from the earth's surface is able to keep them floating in the air
2007-08-21 16:49:42 · answer #1 · answered by Tato 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Clouds are composed of tiny water droplets and/or ice crystals. It takes about a million cloud droplets to make a rain drop. While the minute droplets have mass and weight and are affected by gravity, the slightest movement of the air is sufficient to keep them up. Fog droplets are the same as cloud droplets and fog needs a slight wind to form otherwise the condensed water deposits as dew.
2007-08-22 07:18:34 · answer #2 · answered by tentofield 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Floating is about density not about weight. When an object is less dense then the object below it, it gets displaced. This is seen in clouds because their weight is spread over very large distances making them less dense then the air nearer to Earth. Some clouds are higher than others depending on their density and wind.
2007-08-22 04:22:37 · answer #3 · answered by jdzmumbles 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Good question. I still find it amazing how a 747 can soar on thermals, and it's not made up of tiny water particles.
2007-08-23 18:58:04 · answer #4 · answered by Amanda T 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i guess because they are made of evaporated water, which is in tiny little balls of water like stuff all in seperate balls which all form together? i dont really know how to explain it. good question though!
2007-08-21 23:17:40 · answer #5 · answered by pussycat dolls 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋