Ask A Scientist Chemistry Archive

Question:
Dear Mr(s) Scientist,
    The sixth grade class at Lester School in Downers Grove, IL
would like to know if a cloud is a gas or a liquid and if it has
a definite shape or size.
 lester e school

Answer:
I think that a gas cloud is best described as a clump of very
very tiny water droplets suspended in the air. But that's
really a guess on my part. A cloud doesn't keep its shape
and/or its size forever. If you watch a cloud as it goes
across the sky you  will see its edges fluctuate...and eventually
when enough water droplets condense into a cloud, the tiny
droplets tend to form larger droplets, which can no longer
be held aloft by the winds and fall as rain (or snow if it's cold).
 
This is NOT an expert description but just based on my off-the-
cuff understanding. Maybe you should post this in the "general/
earth science" section as this isn't really a straight chemistry
question. But it's a good question!!!
 
-dr topper