Clouds are not 100% water. While they primarily consist of water in liquid or solid form, they also contain dry air.
Clouds form when the humidity in a specific area of air reaches 100% saturation. This causes water vapor to condense onto tiny particles in the air, called condensation nuclei. These nuclei can be dust, pollen, or even smoke. The tiny water droplets or ice crystals then become visible as clouds.
Here's a breakdown:
- Liquid water droplets: These are the most common component of low-lying clouds.
- Ice particles: These are present in high-altitude clouds, where temperatures are below freezing.
- Dry air: This is mixed in with the water droplets or ice particles, making up a significant portion of the cloud.
To summarize: While clouds primarily consist of water in its liquid or solid form, they are not 100% water. They also contain dry air and tiny particles that serve as condensation nuclei.
