Clouds

=__**Condensation and Clouds **__=

Clouds are NOT made of cotton wool, even though sometimes that is what they look like!

Clouds are made of tiny droplets of water that are so small they can float in the air.

When these droplets of water vapour cluster (or join) together they form tiny water droplets. This is called //**condensation**//. These droplets are very light and can stay up in the air.

Clouds are formed (made) when water vapour joins with other particles in the air, things like dust, dirt and smoke. When lots of water vapour and particles collect together, they form clouds.

There must be 3 things present for clouds to form:
 * moisture
 * cooling air (so the water vapour can condense)
 * tiny particles like dust and dirt

What the cloud looks like depends on where in the sky it is.

Clouds that are up high in the sky and are very cold are made of ice crystals. This is because the water becomes very cold and freezes.

Find out about condensation by watching this clip. media type="youtube" key="NxuC9vL1ykU" width="560" height="315"

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Here is a clip about how water condenses into clouds. media type="youtube" key="eCumUup9vWQ" width="560" height="315"